Newsweek Celebrates LEGO

The LEGO brick is 60, and the minifigure is 40, and I'm right in the middle between them. I'm not sure what the significance of that is, but I find it interesting. It also means I was the perfect age when the Minifigure was introduced, and I've loved them ever since. And I'm not alone in that love, the world has been captivated with LEGO for over half a century, and Newsweek is celebrating that with a special edition. They were kind enough to send us a preview issue, and let me tell you, you're all in for a treat. It hits newsstands next week, be sure to pick up an issue or order it here.

BabyChan™

Tested.com's Norm & Danika announced yesterday their family is growing in the cutest, most LEGOy (and pretty nerdy) way possible with this adorable photo. Congrats Norm and Danika, you're going to make awesome parents! Oh and Ripley, you're going to be an excellent big sister.

Win The Ultimate LEGO Travel Contest!

Our pals over at Beyond the Brick are hosting a contest that pretty much every AFOL wants to win, a trip to Billund to see the LEGO house, and attend Skærbæk Fan Weekend! They want you to get creative and reimagine a LEGO set, big or small, and post pictures to the official Flickr group. Watch the video and read all about it here, then get building!

The House From A Christmas Story Reaches 10k

Just in time for lovely, glorious Christmas (around which the entire kid year revolves) this LEGO Ideas campaign by twrt0es has reached the 10,000 mark! This means we may all soon have a chance to own this amazing reproduction of Ralphie's house. It may not be an official Red Ryder 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time, but I'd certainly love one of these sets under the tree. Fingers crossed!

The BrickFormers Contest

Are you a Transformers fan? Have you ever thought about building your own, fully transformable figure from the Transformers universe? Well, now's your chance! PsychoBrick is hosting his very own contest for the purpose of testing your skills as a Transformer designer. Each contestant must design a single, functioning Transformers figure. This contest is open to anyone in the world, but unfortunately the prize (which is very cool, I might add) will only be shipped to a winner in the U.S. Contest ends on January 17th! If you're interested in participating, check out the contest's Flickr Group, or visit PsychoBrick's YouTube channel for rules and information!

Win A LEGO Star Wars BB-8 Watch!

Everybody loves BB-8, that adorable ball of droid goodness from Star Wars. Everyone needs to know what time it is every now and then. So why not combine them? That right, we're talking about a LEGO Star Wars BB-8 watch, and you can win one super easy. Just click below to enter, there's several ways to do it and you can increase your odds by doing them all.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Star Wars X Building Contest

Our pals at FBTB are challenging you to build ships based on the Star Wars alphabet aurebesh. Yeah, those random characters you see all over the Star Wars universe is actually an alphabet, and you can decode any of those messages. All you have to do is pick your favorite glyph (and there's lots of fun ones to choose from!) and build a ship inspired by it. They're giving away some awesome prizes too in the form of X-Wings, including the discontinued 10240 Red Five X-wing Starfighter! Final contest submission must posted to the official contest forum thread no later than 11:59:59PM PST Sunday December 3rd, 2017.

We're also super excited to announce that FBTB is a last minute sponsor of Nerdvember and will be kicking in some vintage LEGO sets to the prize pool. You have a lot of building to do, get to it!

Build to Give!

As the holiday season is approaching, we are reminded that this is a time of giving and being with those who are important to us. LEGO itself is promoting Build to Give, a way that people around the world can help give LEGO to children. Partnering with UK based charity organization, LEGO reports that: "The team at Fairy Bricks aim to visit over 100 hospitals throughout the UK and their army of elf-like helpers will be on hand delivering the LEGO gifts to the thousands of children who will be spending this Christmas in hospitals."

How can you get involved? Well, LEGO itself is hosting several events at select locations where people can help support the cause. By creating and sharing a holiday decoration build, LEGO will donate additional LEGO sets to children in need this holiday season. (Check out LEGO's official Facebook post to see a list of events, and additional information.) If you aren't able to attend anything in person, no problem! Create something at home and share it with LEGO using the hashtag #buildtogive! It's things like this that make us honored to be a part of the LEGO community. Spread the word and help give to those in need of holiday spirit!

Sincerely,

BrickNerd Contributors

Nerdvember 2017 Is Half Over!

Yes, it's November 15th, that means that Nerdvember is half over already! There have been quite a few amazing entries so far, and we're so excited to see what else you all have up the sleeves of your Member's Only jackets. There's some amazing prizes so you better get building! For full details click here.

SHIPtember 2016

No, that's not the wrong date, these are the 80 entries from last year compiled into a gigantic poster by Brixnspace. And while it's pretty nifty here, you need click through to see it in high resolution to really appreciate all the SHIPs. And if that's not enough you can download the ultra high-res file (seriously, it's 14400x8400), which can be printed at full poster size.

Nerdvember Prizes From LEGO!

I was going to wait until the one week mark to post this, but I'm so excited I can't. Check out the prizes from LEGO! This year's theme is "80's" and to celebrate we're giving away three sets from iconic 80's movies, namely Ghostbusters, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. First place is going to get a Ghostbusters HQ, Second place is going to get a Snowspeeder and Third place is going to get a Speederbike! Thank you to LEGO for sponsoring Nerdvember! Check out this post for more details and get building!

Nerdvember 2017 Is Here!

It's here, Nerdvember 2017! I wanted to make a video to kick this off but I simply didn't have time, between traveling and a tight production schedule on back to back projects I'm stretched a bit thin, so I'll ask you to use your imagination. We hear a driving 80's beat, not unlike Jan Hammer and see multiple Miami Vice like shots of an exotic car driving through a picturesque coastal scene. Then the car stops and I step out of the car, dressed like Don Johnson. I tip down my mirror shades and say simply "welcome to Nerdvember". Now if that doesn't set the scene for a totally awesome 80's contest I don't know what does. That's right, Nerdvember 2017's theme is "80's" and everything that goes with it. Think of all the movies, TV shows, video games, music and pop culture of the 80's, and think how you could spin our mascot Nerdly to that and you get the idea. 

If you're not in the know, this is Nerdly, BrickNerd's mascot, and he's bitchin'. Your task is to incorporate him into an awesome 80's mashup. Imagine him with a proton pack, singing Beat It, Terminating, whatever! If you need a little inspiration check out the entries from 2016 and 2015. And while the theme is 80's, you can also build whatever you want, we don't care as long as it's nerdy! You can download free instructions for Nerdly here.

Just join the official Flickr group, put on your Walkman, crank up the Duran Duran and start building, you have until midnight November 30th to enter as many times as you like. And just like past years we have an amazing group of sponsors with loads of tubular prizes. There's a Brick Loot box, lighting accessories from BrickStuff, a clock and watch from ClicTime, custom parts from Crazy Bricks, a subscription to BrickJournal, stickers from Cooper Works, custom printed bricks from CustomBRICKS and EclipseGRAFX and to top it all off some awesome sets from LEGO. I can't reveal what they are yet, but the theme is 80's you know (hint hint).

Update: No Starch Press has joined the sponsors and will be sending books to winners!

Rules:
Must submit to official Flickr group no later than Nov 30th 11:59pm PST
Enter as many times as you like
Please submit no more than two pictures per MOC
Tag your pictures with "Nerdvember"
Must be physically built, no digital models please
No age limit, but if you’re under 18 please ask your parents
No scale limit, build as big or small as you like
No knockoff brands (Kre-o, Mega, etc.) but third party accessories are OK (Brickforge, Brickarms, Brickstuff, etc.)
Stickers are allowed
    
The theme is 80's, but you don't have to follow it if you don't want to, build whatever you want, just make it nerdy.
    
Download free instructions for Nerdly at bricknerd.com/diy-fanart
    
Prizes:
Winners will be featured on BrickNerd and there will be three prize packages of various levels of awesome, first second and third. No special categories or funny business, just 1 2 3. Prizes will be shipped directly from the sponsors starting in December. Judging will be done by a small, secret committee, their word is final.

Creations for Charity 2017 Begins!

On October 1st, Creations for Charity founder Nannan Zhang shared the news that they are now accepting donations of LEGO creations for the LEGO charity program! For those unfamiliar with the program, Creations for Charity accepts donations of LEGO MOC's built by builders from all around the world, and sells them online. All the money raised from the selling of these MOC's goes towards purchasing LEGO sets for children in multiple countries. This year in particular, they are planning to make sure those areas affected by the recent natural disasters in the U.S. receive some new LEGO sets! If you're at all interested in donating a MOC of your own, you can check out this page here to find out how. Can't wait to see how much the project can raise this year! Remember, it all starts with you and your donations!

Building The Millennium Falcon At Tested.com

Tested.com has unveiled the first premium episode of our epic two day, 12 hour build of the UCS Millennium Falcon. I've been a Tested premium subscriber for some time, and I highly recommend it. It's only $40 a year and that buys you hours and hours of viewing on a regular basis plus an exclusive gift every year. Not only is there LEGO With Friends, there's all kinds of cool stuff for tech heads, nerds, makers and gamers. For more details head over to Tested.com. 

Great Scott! BrickCon Is Coming!

Way back in 2009 my buddy Iain Heath and I met at our first LEGO convention, BrickCon in Seattle. We were both displaying character stuff which really didn't have a place to be. Iain suggested we commandeer an unused table space back in the corner. So we combined forces to create a new theme for BrickCon, and it's been going ever since. This year the BrickCon theme is "Brick To Old School", with a strong Back to the Future vibe, so we're embracing it. Check out these amazing trophies built by Iain himself, and this year's BOC badge bricks. We would like to cordially invite you to bring your character based builds to the coolest table in all of BrickCon. You will also be cool by association, you want to be cool don't you?

Start Saving Your Pennies Kids!

After much anticipation, after much debate, after endless arguing among the fans, it can finally be revealed that the rumors are true...there's a new UCS Millennium Falcon on the way, and it's glorious. Not only is it way more accurate and detailed than the original, it's got two configuration, as it appeared in Empire Strikes Back and The Force Awakens (and The Last Jedi). There's also some limited interior details you can access through removable panels.

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At 7541 pieces it's also the largest LEGO set ever produced. So large in fact they've developed special packaging to allow you to actually wheel it out of the LEGO Store like carryon luggage. But you'll have to wait just a bit for it, it's not out until October 1st. And I was serious about the saving the pennies part, it costs a whopping $799US. But hey, the biggest set ever should have the biggest price tag ever right?

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Here's some features...

• Includes 4 classic crew minifigures: Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and C-3PO.
• Also includes 3 Episode VII/VIII crew minifigures: Older Han Solo, Rey and Finn.
• Figures include a BB-8 droid, 2 buildable Porgs and a buildable Mynock.
• Exterior features include intricately detailed and removable hull panels, a lowering boarding ramp, concealed blaster cannon, 4-minifigure cockpit with detachable canopy, interchangeable round/rectangular sensor dishes, upper and lower quad laser cannons, and 7 landing legs.
• Main hold features a seating area, Dejarik holographic game, combat remote training helmet, engineering station with turning minifigure seat and a doorway build with passageway decoration.
• Rear compartment features the engine room with hyperdrive and console, 2 doorways, hidden floor compartment, 2 escape pod hatches, engineering console and an access ladder to the gunnery station.
• Gunnery station features a minifigure gunner’s seat and detachable hull panel with fully rotating quad laser cannon. An additional quad laser cannon is also mounted on the underside.
• Also includes an informational fact plaque.
• Features a new cockpit canopy element.
• Classic crew weapons include Han’s blaster pistol and Chewbacca’s stud-firing bowcaster.
• Episode VII/VIII crew weapons include Han’s blaster, Rey’s small silver blaster and Finn’s medium blaster rifle.
• Change out the features and crew characters to switch between classic and Episode VII/VIII versions of the Millennium Falcon!
• Open individual hull panels to access the detailed interior while retaining the overall exterior appearance.
• Slide the panel to reveal the concealed blaster cannon.
• Turn classic Leia’s and Han’s head to reveal their breathing mask decoration.
• Makes the perfect intergalactic toy or flagship display model.
• Measures over 8” (21cm) high, 33” (84cm) long and 22” (56cm) wide.

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The UCS Falcon, Live From Kidsworld

Friend of the blog and all around spiffy human Dirk Plug will be building the legendary LEGO 10179 Ultimate Collectors Series Millennium Falcon live at Kidsworld in Roden, The Netherlands. The building will take place over two days and will be broadcasted live on YouTube. Tune in the 19th-20th from 11:00-5:00 local time (GMT +1) and tell him BrickNerd sent ya!

Spacesuit, Spacesuit, SPACESUIT!

I've seen a lot of Minifigure costumes through the years. While they all make me happy, most of the time the proportions or construction is just not quite right. Not the case with this latest cosplay from Henrik Pilerud. It's clear from the beginning of the project that Henrik was determined to get it right, and with outstanding skill and talent, he did.

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I'm guessing if you saw any of these images as thumbnails, you'd never suspect there's actually someone inside it. The proportions, attention to detail and material selection is perfect, making this absolutely one of the best Minifigure costumes ever constructed. The construction is primarily high density foam, with a fabric cover. But it's exceedingly clever, even incorporating venting through the top of the head and out of the face, which is mesh.

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I had the opportunity to chat with Henrick about this amazing costume.

BN: How long did it take to make this?
HP: 200 hours from research, some 3D modelling, pattern making, cutting, gluing, sewing to finished.

BN: What's been the reaction?
HP:Lots, and lots of smiles! I have only had it at one event so far, but winning the cosplay contest and qualifying for both the Swedish Cosplay Championships and the European contest EuroCosplay Championships together with all the joy the costume spread among the convention goers, I would say was a great success.

BN: What lessons did you learn?
HP: I used a lot of lessons I've learned from previous costumes, both in choices of raw materials, mainly foam, and making it comfortable (as much as possible) to wear the costume. I also learned that I can walk (but not very fast or easily) with short legs with no knees or feet joints.

BN: Do you have any plans for other figures?
HP: Probably no more figures any time soon, but perhaps some more LEGO props and stage dressing for my performances in the coming contests. Having a space ship to scale, would be awesome, but not very realistic. The scale is 46:1 compared to an actual minifig. However, me sharing my work, might inspire others so make costumes of the same, or even higher, quality around the world.

You can learn more about Henrik and how he created this and many more stunning costumes at his Facebook page Pilerud's Cosplay.

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Nathan Sawaya Throws The First Pitch...In Bricks

In celebration of Tampa's grand opening of The Art Of The Brick last week, world renowned brick artist (and guy I'm proud to call friend) Nathan Sawaya threw the first pitch at the Tampa Rays vs Cincinnati Reds game. And of course the baseball was brick-built. If you're in the area check out his exhibit.

"The Art of the Brick" Exhibit: Tampa, FL
Free admission, brought to the Tampa community from the Vinik Family Foundation
Open: June 23-September 4
Location: 802 East Whiting Street
Details: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM-6 PM, Free Parking

Pizza & Pugs

Well, this is a surefire hit. I mean, who doesn't love pizza, and who doesn't love pugs? Add them to LEGO and you've got something that appeals to pretty much everyone. There's also a peanut dude, and my personal favorite Mr. Toast. Crazy Bricks is back with another Kickstarter campaign, and needs your help. Upstanding human (and man who knows how to work a top hat) Guy Himber has a loads of cool stretch goals too, so get over there and show your support!