Speed Buggy

Here's another nugget of my childhood. When I was a kid Saturday mornings meant getting up way earlier and easier than it was just one day ago, eating way too much cereal and watching way too many cartoons. This was a favorite, Speed Buggy from Hanna-Barbera. Just for old time's sake I had to check out YouTube to watch a little bit, and it's live action counterpart Wonderbug... Man, I watched some really bad stuff as a kid, but I loved it. And I love this perfect tribute to Speed by builder SPARKART!

Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?

I've always been a big fan of the batmobile, and judging from the number of them I see all the time on Flickr you all are too. But I don't see many with play features, especially as well hidden as this badass Batmobile from AC Studio. This thing is packing machine guns, autocannons and missile launchers, all tucked away in cleverly hidden compartments. Click through for more images.

2X2...iPad Stand?

Admit it, you glanced at this image and thought it was a 2x2 slope huh? I'm not ashamed to admit my first thought when I came across it was "hmm, what set came with that printed slope?" Of course my next reaction was "HOLY CRAP!" I might just have to build one of these genius MOCs by nobu_tary for my own iPad mini. In the mean time, which set did have this slope?

The Right Person

The School of Life released it's latest video, The Right Person. Produced at BrickNerd Studios in collaboration with Spastik Chuwawa. Don't let the misguided standards of dating sites and social pressure prevent you from finding the right person. Be romantic and realize nobody is perfect, including you. Done by James Morr, Dane Erland and me, a crew of three.
 

Metro Infinity

I love when I'm scrolling through my Flickr feed and a MOC makes me stop and go "how the heck..." This incredible micro scale metropolis of the future by lisqr had that exact effect this morning. Even after staring at the photos I'm not certain how this was accomplished. I mean it's obvious it's a series of decorated wedges, but it's so irregular and at the same time patterned and predictable. I think my brain just melted.

Kwik-E-Mart

Hanging out at the convenience store is a way of life. I hate to think how many times I've passed through the doors of all the 7 Elevens, QuickTrips and Am Pm's in my life. And our beloved Springfield wouldn't be the same without Kwik-E-Mart. Where else are you going to get over-priced beef jerky and a Squishee? This one was lovingly and expertly built by 6kyubi6, and it's pretty much perfect.

The Block Party Collection

Our pals at Tee Fury have opened the floodgates of LEGO inspired awesome and have an amazing collection of shirts on sale for the next week! Sixteen shirts in all, everything from TV and Movies to pop culture mashups is here. Head over and grab some before it's too late!

Brick Universe Is Next Month

If you're going to be in the Raleigh North Carolina area next month head over to Brick Universe. Brick Universe is a four day private and public event at the Raleigh Convention Center. Builders can enjoy four days of events and activities on March 26-29 and the public is welcome on the 28th & 29th to check out all the amazing creations.

Slot Cars

The finicky, snap-together track, the flags that never quite stood straight up, the cars that spun out if you hit to turn too fast and the smell, that wonderful almost burnt smell. This is a total blast from the past and a glimpse into my childhood, slot cars. We had many tracks over the years, some better than others, but all so much fun. Thank you msx_80 for the little flash back, I needed that.

Who You Gonna Call?

One of my favorite movies of all time and one of my favorite posters of all time build out of my favorite toy of all time, that's a trifecta of awesome! Builder Lucifer Adams brings us this brilliant poster MOC built in wonderful relief. There's many things to love about this, but my favorite has got to be the lettering and mini ghost in the title, genius.

Just Shoot It

I love this. I get questions all the time on photography and camera gear and I usually have the same first question "what's your budget?" It really doesn't matter these days what camera you use. I've seen stunning shots from an iPhone and terrible ones from a Canon 5D. Lighting isn't terribly difficult either, you can get by with simple desk lamps. The one constant, the one thing that matters is time. If you're in a hurry to get your MOC on Flickr, you can expect it to be a bad shot. Take your time, look critically at the images. Don't be afraid to take a shot, look at it on your computer and then go back and shoot again. I do this all the time, so do professionals, and so should you. Every MOC poses it's challenges in photography, just take your time and experiment and you'll be surprised how great your pictures can be. Take a look at this simple setup by SuckMyBrick, and then go take a peek at their pictures...nuff said.

Erie P-1 "Triplex"

I vaguely remember my first ride aboard an Amtrak train when I was a kid. I remember how nice the conductor was, getting a cookie that looked like the Amtrak logo and a deck of cards. Every once in a while these days I consider a trip by train, but one look at the price and the time it will take to get there and that's over pretty quick. I don't know if this majestic machine by builder Shuppiluliumas ever pulled passenger cars, but I like to imagine what it was like for a kid long ago taking his first train ride, stepping on the platform with this thing huffing and hissing must have been quite a sight.

Plush Nerdly!

I had a fantastic, albeit short time at 24 hour Toy Break last night. If you missed it, I revealed something amazing, a plush Nerdly! This was the prototype (hand made by Flat Bonnie, numbered 01), and sold for $75 to benefit the show. But more are on the way and you'll get your chance to win one hopefully soon. Stay tuned for details!

Kira

 Meet Kira, she's a Mongolian cyberpunk compound bow archer, or something. Builder Pate-keetongu shows us just how sexy archery can be with this wicked MOC. Check out more pics and concept art on his  website 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Here it is, the enduring Disney classic right? *Loud Buzzer* Wrong! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is actually not a Disney film. I don't know if it's because it's from that period of fantastical films of the late 60's, or the fact it's a musical, or that it has Dick Van Dyke in it, but everyone thinks it's a Disney film. It's actually got more in common with James Bond than it does with Mickey Mouse (no really, look it up). This brilliant version by intrepid builder Mad physicist looks a treat, and when transformed into flying mode it's absolutely stunning.

24 Hour Toy Break

Once a year my friends George and Ayleen host a 24 hour episode of their wonderful weekly web show Toy Break. Artists and toy enthusiasts from all over join in the fun as we raise money to help make the show better. I'll be there tonight (probably 8ish) 

I'll post to Facebook when I'm heading over, see you tonight!

Ash

Here's a fun fact, I worked on Army of Darkness. No really, check it out. It was one of the wackiest, most fun to work on films of my career in make up effects. Bruce Campbell was as awesome to work with as you'd expect and I'm positive he would get a total kick out of this excellent MOC by vitreolum. That chainsaw technique is brilliant.

Batwing Gundam

Ah to be a slightly psychologically disturbed billionaire with a vendetta. Builder M<0><0>DSWIM brings us the latest in Batman technology, the Batwing Gundam. It's super pose-able, super detailed and super badass. Perhaps if Batman had shown up for this fight with one of these, the outcome would have been different.

No Starch

No Starch Press should be very familiar with regular readers, they've put out some of the most awesome LEGO related titles in recent years. Well, right now they're running a crazy e-book promotion and charity benefit where you pay what you want for a collection of books! And it's not just any books, there's some top-shlef LEGO books in there, like The LEGO Adventure book and LEGO Space. Here's the trick though, you pay $15 or more not only do you get the whole collection, you also score some additional books including Steampunk LEGO! What the heck are you waiting for? The clock is ticking!!!

Time Machine

What I wouldn't give for one of these babies. Can you imagine the possibilities of time travel? I could go back to 1990 and tell myself not to wear those stupid muscle pants! This brilliant recreation of the time machine was created by AFOL turned LEGO designer Carlmerriam, and I think H.G. himself would be impressed.