Drogon

Even if you're not a Game of Thrones fan (for the record, I totally am) you have to admire this absolutely stunning rendition of Daenerys' dragon Drogon. Just like in the series, he's a showstopper, with a wingspan nearly a meter wide! 

999 Happy Haunts Here

My Haunted Mansion loyalty belongs to the original in California, but I'm still quite fond of the mansions in Paris and of course Florida, which is depicted here by builder TJJohn12. They find it delightfully unlivable here, and it's not because of the humidity. Now, "look alive" and we'll continue our little tour...

Event Coverage: "Women of NASA" Set Launch at the Flatiron District LEGO Store

On Saturday, Oct. 28, the LEGO Ideas team held its first-ever U.S.-based launch for the forthcoming "Women of NASA" set, designed by AFOL Maia Weinstock, at the LEGO Brand Retail store in Manhattan's Flatiron District.  A line of eager fans curled around the block for a chance to meet the designer and get a signed box ahead of the general release on Nov. 1st.  Members of the New York City LUG joined parents and families for the four-hour event, which also featured a special in-store build for kids.   According to Tim Courtney, Experience Manager for the LEGO Company, the event marked the first time that an Ideas set had premiered in America: prior sets had early releases in Europe.  

fan designer maia weinstock (center) is flanked by tim courtney and hasan jensen of the lego company during a launch event for the "women in nasa" set oct. 28th in New York city.

The fun began early Saturday morning as LEGO VIPs began lining up, eager to meet Maia Weinstock, the fan designer who submitted the "Women of NASA" concept to LEGO Ideas last year and quickly gained the needed 10,000 votes.  The set itself is available to the public beginning November 1st, but during this special event, fans would be able to snag an early copy, as well as meet Maia and have their sets signed.

As AFOLs go, Maia is recent to the hobby, telling us that she first began designing minifigures based on hr contemporaries in the science field in 2009.

THE LINE CURLED AROUND THE BLOCK WITH FOLKS HOPING TO GET THEIR OWN "WOMEN OF NASA" SET.  

STACKS AND STACKS AND STACKS OF SET #21312, READY TO BE SOLD AND SIGNED!

Store manager Carlos Fernandez and a team of about 12 employees got the store ready, setting up rows and rows of set #21312 and ensuring that once inside the store, fans would be able to quickly pick up their sets and get into line to meet Maia.  As a courtesy to the hometown LUG, several members of the New York City LEGO Users Group -- yours truly included -- as well as correspondents for AFOL publications were given early access so they could wrap up interviews with Maia and Hasan before the doors opened at 10am.

Tim pointed out that previous LEGO Ideas launch events were held outside the US in cities across Europe. However, with the amazing turnout for the Flatiron launch of Women of NASA, there's little doubt that we should expect many more events like this stateside.

the designer, being interviewed for a feature in scholastic magazine as the line outside the lego store patiently waits

maia talks with enthusiastic young fans, helping to mold our future stem leaders!

ALL TOGETHER NOW  |  MEMBERS OF NYCLUG, I LUG NY, AND CORRESPONDENTS FROM BRICKNERD, BLOCKS MAGAZINE AND BRICKJOURNAL PROUDLY POSE WITH THEIR "WOMEN OF NASA" SETS! 

OBLIGATORY.  set designer maia weinstock poses for a group selfie at the flatiron lego store in manhattan oct. 28.

And in a reminder of how LEGO brings folks together, one attended shared, via Twitter, the very special reason why she showed up to get a copy of "Women of NASA."

When your dad worked for Margaret Hamilton, later worked at @NASA, and loves LEGOs, you are REQUIRED to get him the new @LegoNASAWomen set! pic.twitter.com/zQB0SrHvq0

— Bella Norvig 👩‍💻🎭 (@bellarose) October 28, 2017

In all, it was a great day.  We hope the event's success encourages LEGO to hold many more just like it.  

Dracula

It's getting super spooky on Flickr these days, almost as scary as last night on the streets of San Francisco (I've never been here for Halloween, they do it right here in "the city"). This rendition of everyone's favorite blood sucker is the first Halloween build build from vitreolum, and hopefully not that last.

GatotKaca

According to builder d' Qiu Brick GatotKaca is an "Iron boned Ashura Hunter Inspired from Indonesia Wayang kulit performance, Gatotkaca is a half blood Ashura who had been born with the body of an adult. He can fly across the skies like lightning and hunt down is enemies the Asuras". I don't know what else I can add except "wow!"

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.

Jumpin'

If the style of this seems familiar, it's intentional. Builder Grantmasters decided to take a crack at mimicking the style of American street artist Keith Haring, and the results are pretty spectacularly successful. While Keith's work may have been considered subversive, you can't deny the style and impact, and this MOC is just as eye grabbing.

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.

Benny Rocks Out

Yeah, Benny is well known for his spaceship preoccupation, but did you know he was an intergalactic superstar? Here he is rocking out with the J.E.T.S. which includes Glam Metal Batman on guitar, Blacktronica on bass, J-Bot on the keys, Beats by M-Tron on the drums and The Galaxy Explorers backing them up. Nice build justin_m_winn.

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...

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.

Retro Modern Flair

This is a living room I'd like to hang out in. You know, play some Cards Against Humanity, watch a movie (let's say...Without a Clue, a really underrated film) and have a fun cocktail with friends. The cool retro modern style is so inviting, like a time capsule of the 60's combined with contemporary sensabilities. Nicely done terez trz.

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.

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".

Steampunk Clock

Time, there's never enough of it. Every day I find myself racing one of these for some reason or another, I just have too much I want to accomplish. And now in a true twist of irony, here's something else I don't have time for, building a steampunk clock like Zilmrud. I'll just have to admire his, but not for too long, gotta get back to work.

Technique Tuesday - How Could Tree Designs Get Anymore Crazy?

One of the best things about the LEGO community is that we can learn from one another.  Here at BrickNerd, we like to share techniques that we see from builders all around the world. . .

I think Full Plate broke the barrier when it comes to microscale tree designs. This technique could totally work for a larger tree, but man would it require a lot of parts! I know that I have seen many tree designs used for microscale models, but I haven't seen anything new in ages. A strange combination of parts in green can create something very organic before your eyes. Check out this breakdown provided by the builder! 

The Center for the Performing Arts

Ahh, the theater. I was in a few productions during high school, and I still remember that feeling of extreme anxiety moments before you walk out on stage before you make a fool of yourself (I was a natural at that). This micro-scale theater by Aaron Newman is much less intimidating, and much more charming. The use of the fan pieces for the curtains are inspired.

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.

Slim

There's something so stoic about the mechanical wonders of builder m_o_n_k_e_y. Take Slim here, he's clearly robotic, large and capable, but there's also a wistfulness and innocence that comes through. My guess is it's the pose and composition, but I'm not totally certain of it, perhaps there's something else?

Light! There Must Be Land Nearby!

I feel like lighthouses a quite a rare site today in the real world, which isn't something I've thought too much about until I saw this lovely model by Tim Schwalfenberg. With such a dark atmosphere, the white tower really pops and draws your focus to this creation. I think the white stone design was a good choice, besides creating the contrast that begs for your attention. I think white stonework isn't done too often, and works so well for a lighthouse such as this creation. Ships don't need to worry, for this lighthouse will show you the way!