Nevermore

OK, the "nevermore" is really connected to ravens, but most people don't even know the difference between crows and ravens. Since this stunning sculpture is called "Crow" by builder Felix Jaensch, we have to assume it's a crow. Either are intertwined with Halloween, like it or not. Fun fact, all the crows in "The Crow" and it's sequels are actually ravens. According to the trainer on part 3 they're easier to train.

Crow

Elegant Medieval Parts Use

Markus Rollbuhler is currently one of my favorite builders on Flickr. There are many builders today recognized for their excellent experimentation and re-imagination with the typical combination of LEGO parts. Markus comes up with new techniques, but he stands out to me because each presentation is so elegant. Take this brand new model, for example. How many incredible uses of elements can you pick out? Personally, I love the use of hockey sticks, and the green feathers to create that incredible tree (one of the most interesting I've ever seen!).  

The Royal Academy
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Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here

Oh You Wanted Candy For Halloween?

Mischievous mechanical genius JK Brickworks has something special in store for the kids this Halloween. All you have to do is tap the pumpkin, and you'll get a delicious treat...or at least it seems that way. Check out the video to see how this clever little bit of spooky fun works.

This year for Halloween, I decided to build another LEGO Mindstorms EV3 chocolate dispenser, to hopefully make the night a bit more interesting for the kids that come to our door. When the pumpkin in the front of the model is pushed, it triggers the delivery of a mini chocolate, which travels along a conveyor belt to the skeleton hand in the front.

Sukhoi Su-30

Air power changed the face of war as we know it starting with WWI. Since then the world's superpowers have competed with each other to create the world's fastest and most maneuverable fighter jets to achieve air superiority over their enemies. While the United States has dominated in the development and production of fighters, Russia has never been that far behind. Development of the Su-30 may have began in communist Russia, but it wasn't officially put into service until 1996, years after the Soviet Union had been dissolved. New builder Tino Poutiainen has treated us with a detailed microscale version of the Su-30. Let us all hope that this is just the first in a series of unique airplane builds from him.

Sukhoi Su- 30 MK1_1

More Spooky Fun

Halloween is a mere four days away, and builder Legohaulic is getting seriously into it. Every day for nearly a week now we've been...treated...to these spectacular and charming little spooky portraits. Most of the traditional mainstays have been covered, what could be left? I'm waiting for a creature from the black lagoon, or maybe a hockey mask, or perhaps a mummy...

The Frankenstein Monster
Vampire
Witch
Werewolf

Crime Scene Recreation

WARNING, the following images may be unsuitable for some viewers

In late 1978 a crime was committed that the world has never quite recovered from. I can tell you as a first hand witness to this heinous event, I was scarred for life. I am referring of course to the Star Wars Holiday Special which aired November 17, 1978...a day that will live in infamy. Builder storm_tk431 has brilliantly recreated just one of the many scenes of this crime, so that we many never forget.

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Gingerbread Train

The 2017 holidays seem to be in a hurry to get here. There was stuff in Micheal's a month ago, my truck insists on playing Christmas carols on my iPod and now here's a gingerbread train from builder Swan Dutchman. Yes, it's a bit early, but just look at this charming little train, you can practically hear the sleigh bells and smell the gingerbread.

Gingerbread Train

Sweden Circa 1979

I've said it many times, the 70's weren't pretty, but there was an unquestionable earnestness to the era. The Gong Show was a thing, disco was on the radio and let's not talk about fashion, but it was all done with a brash energy and unapologetic gusto. Cars weren't pretty back then either, but they were necessary and everywhere. This scene from 1979 Sweden by builder LegoJalex captures the working class vibe perfectly, and feels so very 70's I wouldn't be surprised to see it's on a Thrifty "Twin Pic".

Somewhere in Sweden 1979

Merchant Matteo

Bionicle builder Mana Ramp Matron is back with another awesome creation, not only for it's construction, but for the lore behind it. Giving a back story on a build isn't uncommon, many builders weave a little storytelling into their MOCs (which is so cool) but this one is unusual for the subject matter. This is actually based on a previously built character, and tells the story from his past. The original figure of Matteo has seen numerous upgrades and rebuilds over the years, now a new chapter opens, with some of his mysterious past coming to light.

Bionicle MOC: Matteo, Merchant of Lemuria