Only One Week Left!

Hey all you 80's fans, you only have one week left to get in on the Nerdvember action! We're giving away some awesome prizes including the Ghostbusters Firehouse, Snowspeeder and Speederbike from LEGO, lights from Brickstuff, books from No Starch, printed bricks from CustomBRICKS and EclipseGRAFX, clocks and watches from ClicTime, a subscription to BrickJournal, Stickers from Cooperworks, custom parts from CrazyBricks and a Brick Loot box! There's been some awesome entries so far, what will you build? Contest ends Nov 30th at midnight, get building!

Nerdvember_sponsors2017.jpg

The Jungle Came To Life And Took Him

How do you fight an invisible threat? How does it feel to be hunted? Why does Arnold Schwarzenegger have such a desirable skull? All of these questions are posed in the 80's classic Predator. One of the weapons of the antagonist and film's namesake is a cloaking device that renders him nearly invisible by bending the light around him, wonderfully envisioned here by builder Grantmasters. A Predator Nerdly would also be a good Nerdvember entry, just sayin'.

Jungle Hunter

For Sale

Unique fixer-upper opportunity. Do you like to swing a hammer when you're not swinging a machete? Well this is the home for you! Enjoy plenty of fresh air on the second story while spotting for approaching raiders, and keep those carpentry skills fresh as you make improvements to your new abode. You know the utilities work because you can see them all in the open, and who actually likes yard work anyway? Don't let this this one slip away, contact agent sanellukovic today!

Apoca

Licence To Ill

Spend any extended time with me and you'll hear three things: Me saying something stupid, but funny, the distinct sound of a rummaged LEGO bin and Beastie Boys playing in the background. I've been listening since 1986 (the year I graduated, sheesh) and have seen them in concert and owned every album. I cheered when they were inducted into the hall of fame and wept when we lost Yauch. So you can imagine my reaction when I saw this absolutely perfect recreation of their first album cover by builder Brick Flag. The attention to detail is stunning, from the logo on the tail to the distinctive damage on the front, it's so good. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I need to get my Brass Monkey on.

Licensed To MOC
Licensed To MOC

Dinosaur Mecha

Let's face it, dinosaurs are cool and fascinating, but also big and terrifying. I don't think we'd be at the top of the food chain had they not been wiped out. But we can sorta bring them back, in mechanical form, and they'd be just as big and scary. Like this brilliant robotic beast by nobu_tary, all pistons and servos, all stompy and bitey. Just hopefully completely under control, or it's back to hiding in holes for us.

Dinosaur Mecha

Blacksmith

I've often wondered what I'd be if I lived in medieval times. Clearly I wouldn't work on movies, they won't be invented for a few hundred years, and we can certainly toss out LEGO blogging. I'm pretty sure I'd be a blacksmith, they're the makers of the period. And if I got to work in a space even partially as charming and picturesque as this little cottage workshop by builder Simon NH, then I'd be totally cool with it. Just look at this place, with it's lively colors and rustic charm you can't help but be drawn in.

Blacksmith

B-4... You Sank My Battleship!

This latest throwback from builder jtheels should be instantly recognizable to generations of boardgamers. It's of course Battleship, the Milton Bradley classic, or at least one of it's iconic little ships at about 10x scale. The whole game at this scale would occupy a couple ping pong tables, and be more fun to play (sounds like a convention stunt, somebody make that happen!)

Battleship Game

Build to Give!

As the holiday season is approaching, we are reminded that this is a time of giving and being with those who are important to us. LEGO itself is promoting Build to Give, a way that people around the world can help give LEGO to children. Partnering with UK based charity organization, LEGO reports that: "The team at Fairy Bricks aim to visit over 100 hospitals throughout the UK and their army of elf-like helpers will be on hand delivering the LEGO gifts to the thousands of children who will be spending this Christmas in hospitals."

How can you get involved? Well, LEGO itself is hosting several events at select locations where people can help support the cause. By creating and sharing a holiday decoration build, LEGO will donate additional LEGO sets to children in need this holiday season. (Check out LEGO's official Facebook post to see a list of events, and additional information.) If you aren't able to attend anything in person, no problem! Create something at home and share it with LEGO using the hashtag #buildtogive! It's things like this that make us honored to be a part of the LEGO community. Spread the word and help give to those in need of holiday spirit!

Sincerely,

BrickNerd Contributors

Screenshot from 2017-11-18 12:04:58.png
Comment

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

Ornaments to Help Decorate Your Tree

There are always great Christmas tree ornaments built each year. This batch by LEGO 7 are some of the first we've seen for this season. The designs showcased below have a very playful design to them, almost as if they were specifically designed as children's ornaments (which they absolutely could have been). That's face it, there were always "those ornaments" that we couldn't hang on the tree as kids because they were more fragile, right? Well, now it's time for you to build your own ornaments that nobody else is allowed to hang proudly on the Christmas tree! If these don't inspire you to start designing some of your own, I don't know what will! 

Christmas Ornaments
Comment

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

Goblin Realm

This portion of the home of the goblins that we saw in the Hobbit trilogy looks very accurate, due to how fragile the wooden platforms appear. Grame S. took the risk of using some more tricky connection points to support the large and irregular wooden platforms built into the rock formations. Definitely take a minute to take a closer look at this impressive rockwork and (intentional) messy platforms built by these ugly creatures. I get shivers just looking at this MOC!

Chapter 4 - Over Hill and Under Hill
Comment

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

When Life Gives You Translucent Yellow Cockpits...

Tim Goddard unleashes this new classic space starfighter on the galaxy! Check out the engine detailing in the rear, the greebling on the wings, and the smooth integration of the cockpit into the main body of the spaceship. Every year, we see more and more crazy spaceship designs using the classic theme that LEGO did years ago. Builders like Tim are doing a fabulous job at keeping this theme alive today.

Blue Auk
Comment

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

Jernsteinn on Sølvheim

Winter is coming!  But that's a different story...  Wochenender is setting the stage here with what's looking to be an epic tale of adventure.  It's about the colonization of an island north of the Highlands called Sølvheim.  The builder will be showing the growth of the colony, with this scene depicting the first footholds necessary to advance the mission.  As you look around, you'll notice a sturdy dock, tents for shelter, a few draft animals, and a lookout tower.  And I bet that cave is going to come in handy for storage.  Or protection if the Wildlings show up...

Jernsteinn on Sølvheim - a calderian colony - stage 1

Jernsteinn on Sølvheim - a calderian colony - stage 1

House On Striped Pillars

Builder betweenbrickwalls is back with another gorgeous house with a modern flair, welcome to House on Striped Pillars. Like the other two houses in this series, it is incorporated directly into a rocky cliffside, and those rock forms are integral into the design. With all the windows and open air spaces, I have to imagine the views would be stunning.

House on Striped Pillars MOC front
House on Striped Pillars kitchen
House on Striped Pillars MOC bedroom in evening light

The 2017 Christmas Collection

Last night I ate a gingerbread cookie with my wife in the great room at Disney's Grand Californian while listening to the pianist playing holiday classics. Then we watched holiday fireworks and it snowed on Main Street. It's fair to say I'm now squarely in a Christmas mood. Which makes it absolutely perfect timing for Chris McVeigh's 2017 Christmas Collection. What better way to get the season going than to build some positively charming ornaments, and this year's collection is fantastic. Head over to chrismcveigh.com for these and many more instructions and kits to build.

Project 2: Platecraft Gingerbread Man