One With The Force, Farewell Princess

My absolute love for Star Wars is no secret, I wear it (quite literally) loud and proud. I was nine years old when the film came out, the perfect age to be warped for life. It's what sparked my love of film, filmmaking, sci-fi, model building and so many other creative aspects of my life. It also sparked one of the first crushes of my young life, a certain strong-willed, no-nonsense princess who defied an empire and saved the galaxy. I'm deeply saddened by the loss of Carrie Fisher, my heart is broken.

Santa's Chimney Cannon

I don't know how I missed this yuletide artillery MOC by nobu_tary when it was originally posted. And while Christmas may be over, the tree is still up, presents are all over the living room and I'm all hopped up on sugar so why not? I didn't realize Santa had a new "weapon" in his arsenal this year, which looks pretty exciting. I suppose the reindeer might have gotten upset for being underutilized, but at least they got a show.

Blacksmith's Shop & The House Of Peer Rumstiek

Does anyone else hear medieval minstrel music when they look at castle MOCs? I mean, the moment I looked at this wonderful blacksmith's shop and tudor house by Sylon-tw, I heard music right out of Excalibur (not the Mozart stuff, the minstrel music). I realize that music shapes and colors my creative world, but I have to wonder if I'm alone in this phenomenon.

AT-ACT

They're huge, they're menacing and they're armored...not to mention they walk! They're Imperial Walkers, and you really don't want to see them advancing on you. This is the AT-ACT, a cargo hauling variation seen for the first time in Rogue One. And while their primary function is to move things from one place to another, they can certainly hold their own in battle. This version by Forgotten Days looks like it's ready for some stompy stompy pew pew action.

Shortcut

While it's not the only criteria I look for (far from it) but for me one of the hallmarks of a great MOC is it doesn't look like LEGO at first. I know this seems at odds with a love of the bricks but let me explain. One of the things I find most fascinating about building with LEGO is the fact that is is transformed into something else. Each element is like a stroke from a pencil, a pixel on the screen or a thumbprint in clay. Individually just fragments of a larger idea, but It all comes together to become something else entirely. And when is it is so successfully transformed that those individual fragments disappear altogether, it's magic. This alley scene by builder LEGOMINDED just looked like a photograph of an urban scene from the thumbnail, I almost scrolled right past it. Beautifully conceived, built and photographed...transformed.

Santa Yoda

After I was done opening my presents yesterday I looked around and realized just how big a Star Wars fan I am. I was wearing Star Wars sleep pants, a Han and Chewie shirt, a jedi robe. In my pile of presents was a Stormtrooper helmet, model kits of R2-D2 and C-3PO, SW collector cards, a SW checkbook cover and more. And they all made me happy as could me. You'd swear Santa Yoda, depicted here by M<0><0>DSWIM, was the one that came down the chimney this year.

Merry Christmas From BrickNerd!

And happy Chanukah to you all. It's a time of celebration, where families come together and warm wishes are shared by all. I wish I could reach out and hug every one of you that visit this little blog on a regular basis, you're my BrickNerd family and I love you all! Santa's already been to our house, my stocking is overflowing. It's time to open presents, eat yummy food and listen to some classic holiday music. Speaking of Santa, check him out in this spiffy new hotrod sleigh by builder Vaionaut! This thing can certainly spread some cheer in a fast way.

Twas The Night Before Christmas...

...and all through the shop
Not a single brick was clicking
not one single MOC

The stockings were hung, Mickey, Pooh Bear and Tigger
ready for polybags, or something much bigger

Nerdly was nestled, all snug on his shelf,
Too blocky and cool to be confused with an elf.

Mrs BrickNerd in her Ugg boots, and I with my Mac,
Ripping off classics, like a no-talent hack.

We're all ready for Christmas here at the BrickNerd residential compound (my house). We have a few last minute projects to do, but for the most part we're just waiting for Santa and his reindeer. Speaking of which, check out this spectacular recreation of the classic Lucasfilm Christmas card from 1978 by builder Kevin Wollert. It's a very Star Warsy Christmas indeed.

Mines!

U-boats may have been the scourge of allied forces at sea, but they faces their own perils as well. As they preyed on unsuspecting surface ship, mines, torpedoes and bad navigation posed a continual threat. Builder PigletCiamek imagines a moment of realization that must have been quite the heart stopping moment indeed.

There It Is, My House, At Good Old Cleveland Street...

While it is the general policy of BrickNerd not to feature LEGO Ideas project, sometimes I have to make an exception. A Christmas Story is one of my all-time favorite movies. From Thanksgiving to Christmas every year we watch it (or at least have it on) a lot, practically every day, sometimes more than once. So when I saw this project of the Parker house I just had to share. It's got everything, the major award, the Bumpass hounds, the turkey, the rabbit pajamas and of course the official Red Rider carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.

P-51

While the corsair is my favorite WWII fighter, the mustang is a close second. Most planes of the era were so drab (literally) and unexciting, but not the mustang, she was shiny, fast and beautiful. This version by Milan CMadge is the best I've seen at this scale, right down to the dihedral. 

Did You Know That Wasn't Me?

K-2SO, the reprogrammed Imperial Droid from Rogue One was my personal favorite character from the film. His snarky comments and attitude, in direct contrast to his loyalty and chivalry, made him compelling and lovable. While I was a bit nonplussed by the official LEGO set, this version by nobu_tary which utilizes just the key components of that set is stellar.

This Dog's In The Holiday Mood

At my house the corgi's are getting into the spirit of Christmas. There's the repeated high speed passes under the tree, shaking the ornaments off. The systematic dismantling of the tubes that ribbon and wrapping paper come on. The occasional theft of a Santa hat for nefarious reasons. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not sure they're fans. But this terrier by bricks.life.idea is clearly into it with his awesome antlers.

Black Beauty

The Greet Hornet and his faithful sidekick Kato had a crazy plan, become crimefighters by pretending to be criminals. It was just crazy enough to work. But they needed to get around, and why not do it in style with a specially modified Chrysler Imperial bristling with firepower and gadgets? TBB's own Mad physicist brings this beast of a beauty to life with comic book style.

To The Gate!

These poor knights do not look like they'll be celebrating Christmas any time soon. . .  Builder Cab ~ has his hands full with a siege at his front gate.  There are many iconic weapons of war throughout history.  Some crafts were massive, some were simpler and smaller, but served an equal importance just the same.  This particular scene is a clean and lively build (well, except for the occasional arrow and dead soldier), while still portraying the urgency of the invading soldiers, and those defending their keep.  I'm seeing clean castle walls like this less and less lately, so this was a pleasant castle creation to witness.  Hopefully these soldiers can come to some sort of truce before the holiday. . .

A Very Marvel Christmas To You

Action!  Joy!  Easter eggs!  Bright colors!  Good food!  Superheroes!  This is how a true Marvel Christmas should be done, which is exactly what Milan Sekiz did!  It appears that the Avengers and the Guardians have gotten a crossover sooner than expected.  Personally, I would watch a Christmas special with all of these characters uniting for the holidays, but that's just me.  There are many little details in this creation, so make sure to zoom in and take a closer look!  You may find some familiar items decorating their tree. . .

We Wish You A Scary Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas is now considered a classic, and a yearly tradition that lasts the entire last part of every year since it spans Halloween to Christmas. I remember seeing the film in the theater, back when Disney had no confidence in it, and we were absolutely blown away with every aspect of it. I am similarly blown away with this MOC by Cesbrick. I must admit when I first saw it, I didn't think it was LEGO, or at least Jack wasn't, but he is. Every aspect of this is spooky good!

Alguroran

It's difficult to capture "cold" in photos. Ask anyone who's photographed in chilly environments and they'll tell you "it was colder than it looks". it's even more difficult to make something that is decidedly not cold, look cold. But builder 'Ecclesiastes has done exactly that with this frigid stronghold. Makes me shiver just looking at it.

The Turbo Terrific

Perhaps no other car in Wacky Races history has suffered as much as The Turbo Terrific. It was pretty much destroyed in every episode, it was a running gag, and you could always depend on it being pretty spectacular. Although in overall standings driver Peter Perfect actually won four times, all I remember is his car falling to pieces, a lot. Perhaps this LEGO version by redfern1950s will stay together.

Rebel Attack Looming

Graham Gidman used the LEGO Group's latest AT-ST design in a scene from the Rogue One trailers.  Since the movie released, we know we will be seeing many more Rogue One creations popping up across the internet.  This particular building really impressed me, and is one of my favorite Star Wars buildings seen in LEGO.  The different angles executed are seamless, creating a futuristic architecture style.  The new recruits to the Rebel Alliance seem to be preparing to take on the walker.  Will they prevail?!