Sometimes it's not the obscurity of a part that makes it a NPU (nice part use). Everyone has a banana or two, at one point last year we had over 100 in the studio for a particular animation gig, but the thought of using them as thatching on a roof, like this brilliant treehouse MOC by theogiulia never occurred to me. What a fantastic use of a totally mundane part.
These MOCs are part of an absolutely epic undertaking by the latest member of a small team of dedicated Harry Potter and LEGO fans. Each is a small vignette representing a notable scene from the legendary book series. These are from The Goblet of Fire, the fourth book in the series, and are built by Xenomurphy, who took up the mantle from builders MarcelV, 'rolli and Kevin Wollert. Each is a small piece of a larger story, and a story unto itself.
This sort of build warms my heart. This phenomenal quidditch pitch by builder britsnap1 is a father/son project and obviously a labor of love. It measures over seven and a half feet and is populated with a full audience of sports loving minifigures. A fevered match is in progress, and while I can't really tell, I'm betting Gryffindor is winning. Harry Potter himself would be proud.
The distinguished gentleman know that when it comes to personal defense, there's absolutely no reason that the apparatus need be without style or panache. The Winchester Action Thermal Steam Operated Neutralizer, or WATSON Pistol is just the thing for standing down a rogue and doing it with flair. Now available at Higby and Bloque, and wherever fine firearms are sold.
Everywhere you look at this scrappy watchtower by Tim Schwalfenberg you'll see two things: A very interesting technique, and something unconventional. From the craggy brickwork at the base of the tower, to the cobbled railing at the top, and from the uneven stairs on the left to the boulder rock work on the right, it's amazing. I have to admit I think this would probably give me fits though, it looks so fragile I wouldn't want to stand anywhere near it while simultaneously needing to get a good close look at it.
Ok so I've got to admit, I'm not a massive fan of the LEGO Friends sets (mainly I just don't like the figures) but SuzEaton has won me over with this chess set. Each piece is themed, including a skier, halloween witch, DJ and bakers. The queen piece is represented by a prom queen and the king features one of the Friends as a mechanic. I strongly suggest checking out the individual pieces via the album. This half of the board fits together with a LEGO Elves themed board built by Suz's husband.
I love the sense of motion and drama in this MOC by monstrophonic. Here in sunny California, we don't have to contend with much snow, but I've seen some video of trains auto clearing snow from their own tracks and it's spectacular. Well, it's spectacular from a comfortable chair watching YouTube, I imagine in person it's a bit terrifying.
I don't really have anything against Angry Birds, well, mostly. I actually own the Star Wars version of the game (of course I do) and I'm pretty terrible at it. When I heard they were making a movie, well I just sighed, for Hollywood is officially out of ideas. I haven't seen it, and probably won't, but that doesn't diminish my appreciation of this brilliant micro build by vitreolum. There's a sense of story here, of contemplation, of calm before the storm. And I'm saying this about a little MOC based on a movie I haven't seen based on a silly game that's 7 years old...impressive.
It's become somewhat cool to dis the Star Wars prequels, but I was doing it before it was cool. While The Phantom Menace is arguably the worst of the three, it does have a few redeeming qualities, and these little dudes are one of them. Pit Droids, like this one from nobu_tary, were maintenance robots in the pit areas of pod racers. But they're skills just may have extended past that, because that scene was one of the other redeeming qualities of the film...coincidence?
....and it belongs to the Mad Hatter. This ridiculously insane creation is by Brick Blue Wren and is bursting with detail. From the chandelier to the Hatter's hats - there's even a collection of feathers, bows and hat boxes. The spiral staircase within the hat-shaped structure comes complete with a handrail built from LEGO levers and the knobs appear to be a pair of chocolate muffins! It gets curiouser and curiouser the more you look!
As much as we all love seeing enormous, complex, meticulously detailed LEGO creations, it's hard to deny the appeal of a clean and simple build, like this brilliant little scene from Letranger Absurde. It's not mind-blowingly huge or complicated, but it's entirely awesome. In fact, its simplicity just serves to highlight the genius NPU in the mushroom cloud.
Yeah, the Soviets really built one of these! Ciamosław Ciamek has created a model of this obscure and fascinating piece of engineering history. Designed by Boris Ushakov in the 1930s, then tested in the 1940s, the project unfortunately never seemed to "take off," and was cancelled in 1953. However, with today's technology, it's possible that someone may revisit the concept. That would be wicked!
Is there any more wholesome form of childhood entertainment than to watch two robots beat the crap out of each other until one is hideously disfigured? Yeah, I didn't think so. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots was a go-to favorite when I was a kid, and this wonderful miniature version by Bruce Lowell makes me want to engage in robot battle even though I'm adult...I mean manchild.
Keko is having an existential crisis, and you might be able to relate to it, for nothing is what it seems. At first glance this looks like a small plastic model contemplating the sum of his parts on the sprue. But take a closer look, that's all LEGO. Another mind-bending MOC from Legoloverman.
Oh, that 'cutting mat' he's standing on? That's LEGO too... *boom*
When most people think of LEGO and Disney together, they think it's a fairly recent collaboration, think again. Way back when LEGO was a wooden toy manufacturer Pluto was a popular product, in fact, it's the first licensed product LEGO ever made. Although no one seems to be sure what year it was released, it was probably in the early 1940's. Builder, author and AFOL community legend Joe Meno has recreated this classic with a charming style that just has to be born of true Disney magic.
The force is strong with Flickr this morning, due in part to the ImperiumderSteine MOC Olympics., and that make my nerd heart happy. This absolutely brilliant poster from episode IV by builder Gamabomb takes me back to my childhood, where I spent all of the summer of 1978 watching Star Wars practically every day, many times twice a day. And every trip to the theater started with a brief pause to admire this poster hanging outside.
It's a Star Warsriffic morning here at BrickNerd, and I'm totally ok with that. This interior diorama by Boba-1980 is so clean that it's actually deceptive. There's a whole lot of detail and clever building going on here, in a compact and wonderful recreation from an iconic scene from the greatest movie of all time (my opinion of course, but your argument is invalid).
This is truly a clean and pristine build! Paul Trach hasn't added too much color, there aren't too many vines, and there aren't too many details on the floor. Perfect, this build has become! The walls are my favorite part, personally, due to the angling and the style of construction. Other details that make this build great are the floor paint, the little cranes, and especially the sleek hangar transport device. I would love to be based out of this outpost rather than a formal Imperial station. How about you?!
I must admit, I have watched the new Rogue One trailer too many times already. One thing that I have noticed in the trailer, along with many other Star Wars fans, is the new Imperial tank (for lack of a better title). It can be seen in a few, quick shots within the two trailers for the film so far. Along with the tank, it appears to have a new form of Stormtrooper, and I can only assume he is similar to a TIE pilot, only for this new craft. Kevin Wollert (having now completed his Harry Potter vignette series) has designed a well-crafted replica of this new vehicle introduced in the Star Wars universe. The is a phenomenal recreation of the new iconic vehicle, and it's going to be tough to beat! Well done, Kevin!
You can practically hear inspirational music, smell the pine and see the magnificent vistas from some spectacular natural monument when you look at this adventure ready Ford Bronco from Lino M. It may be a bit dated, but it is no doubt classic American outdoors. Now for some reason I'm craving hot chocolate by a campfire while everyone else ruins marshmallows.
Welcome back to some spooky BrickNerd Quick Builds! We have two treats for you today. The theme for our LEGO instructions is Halloween with witches, spiders, crows and a grave!
Did you know there is a LEGO convention held inside a world-renowned glass museum? Let’s step through the looking-glass together and learn what BrickNerd contributors Ted Andes and Daniel Zimmerman found at Empire Brick Con.
Galidor. A retired theme with a cult following, nearly universally hated by all. Just look at it. What part of this makes you think “LEGO?” Today we’ll take a look at the horrors of Galidor.
Shrek’s fairy-tale cast has arrived in LEGO minifigure form, but does everyone get a happily ever after? We take a close look at the movie references, a few puzzling design choices, and some useful parts for Castle builders.
What are the best ways to score cheap LEGO? If you’re willing to go to some effort, hidden LEGO pops up all over the place. In today’s guest article, Molly Patton shares her stories and tips at finding low-priced LEGO.
Are you one of those people that has a perpetually messy building table? If so, you are not alone. Ted Andes comes out in defense of creative clutter and pleads the case for there being a method-to-the-madness of a messy building table. Read on to find out why a little bit of disorganization can be a good thing.
What happens when you turn a LEGO pirate ship into a Great Ball Contraption? Brian Hickey and his family find out, building a working module and learning a few hard lessons when it joins the GBC loop at BrickCon.
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No bones about it, BrickNerd fans, we’ve got some interesting connections for you today. Will explores the old LEGO skeleton, digs up several curiosities, and resurrects Belville to tickle your funny bone!