The Brothers Brick

Brandon Griffith, who you may remember from his role in the awesome Tower of Orthanc diorama, has a cool new project up on Kickstarter. It’s a set of trading cards, but the subjects aren’t athletes, they’re LEGO builders and their creations. The mock-up photos look pretty awesome to me, and I’m also honored to say that I’ve been asked to be an artist in the series.

DeTomaso Pantera (DeTomaso77) recently began posting some seriously gorgeous LEGO representations of British birds that I just can’t pass up.

My favorite is this adorable robin named “Bobby,” complete with the handle of a spade to perch on.

Beyond the beautiful birds themselves, what I love about these is how DeTomaso has presented them in a variety of settings, like “Gloria” the goldfinch, complete with a nest, perching twig, and lovely piece of suet.

DeTomaso promises to post more birds, so keep an eye on Flickr and MOCpages for updates.

Thanks for the tip, Bruce!

Peter Norman (swoofty) just posted a beautiful shot of his many, excellent US locomotives (and other railway stock) taken at the recent Fullerton Railroad Days event featuring SCLTC. A very colourful collection.

This past weekend, LEGO announced the new 10226 Sopwith Camel set at AFOLcon in Manchester, UK.

Lots more photos in the photoset on Flickr.

In addition to the large-scale version, LEGO will also be releasing a mini version:

Here’s the full press release:

10226 Sopwith Camel

Ages 14+. 883 pieces.
US $99.99 CA $129.99 DE 89.99 € UK 79.99 £ DK 799DKK

Relive a classic era of aviation history with the Sopwith Camel biplane!

Recreate your very own piece of aviation history with the historic Sopwith Camel. This detailed replica of one of the most recognizable British single-seat biplanes ever to have graced the skies. Features include a realistic rotating propeller and engine cylinders, hinged tail rudder, realistic tension wires, functioning wing ailerons and tail flaps that can be controlled from the cockpit – just like the real plane! The detail doesn’t stop there; this authentic model has over 880 bricks, including dark green, dark tan and metallic silver elements.

• Features include a rotating propeller and engine cylinders, hinged tail rudder, functioning wing ailerons and tail flaps that can be controlled from the cockpit
• Includes dark green, dark tan and metallic silver elements
• Recreate a piece of aviation history
• Turn the propellers and see the cylinders rotate
• Model measures over 15” (40cm) long and has a wingspan of over 19” (50 cm)

Available for sale directly through LEGO® beginning June 2012 via shop.LEGO.com, LEGO® Stores or via phone.

LEGO adds:

In addition the Sopwith Camel has many sought-after parts including some metallic parts on the cowling and new 1×1 round tiles. “We’re also introducing the 1×1 brick in dark tan, which was on our top ten list of elements that our fans want and we give you quite a few of them,” adds Jamie

“We have tried to avoid stickers wherever possible and have a brick-built rudder in the characteristic red, white and blue of the original. Also included are dark green 8×16 plates and 1×3 tiles in the same colour.”

Finally, here’s the designer video:

If you’re considering attending Brick Fiesta from July 4-8 in Houston, you have until the end of this month to guarantee registration with an engraved brick badge. For more info on the convention, check out their website.

Today might be a witty day for a Star Wars celebration, but it also happens to be the day The Avengers film is released. And with as much excitement as the rest of us, but a with great deal more effort and skill, Ken Robichaud (aka buriedbybricks) is showing his enthusiasm for Marvel’s latest film. Ken has broken out his Lego to create some astounding life-sized props for the Avengers. I actually spent a moment looking at Hawkeye’s bow, and trying to figure out why it was in the “Lego” group on flickr, before I zoomed in and realized that it was, in fact, entirely Lego. And Ken’s other props are no less magnificent.

The annual LEGO Star Wars sale on May 4th (“May the Force…” — you get the idea) is upon is. The pickings are a bit slim this year, but you get free shipping on all orders over $75 and various gifts with purchase — R2-D2 poster, TC-14 minifigure, etc.

The only two bigger sets on sale are Imperial Shuttle” and Super Star Destroyer — both at 20% off.

Link for our Canadian readers:

Link for our UK readers:

A Look at Lego podcast recently posted interviews with two builders we feature quite often on the blog: Bruce Lowell and Legohaulic. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know both builders and their backgrounds beyond pictures of their works. Click on the banner below to access the podcasts.

For all the LEGO fans in and around Toronto (or Canada and North Eastern USA in general), the dates for Brickfête have been announced. It will be held July 12-15 this year at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto. Press release below.

This is a call out to all AFOL, LEGO collectors, builders, hobbyists, enthusiasts and vendors within walking, driving or flying distance of Toronto, Canada. The Brickfête Team would love to see you this summer for our annual LEGO Fan Convention. Join us for some good times completely focused on our beloved obsession with the brick.

This July 12, 13, 14 & 15, 2012
Hilton Hotel in Toronto, Canada

To register for the four days visit our AFOL portion of our site… www.brickfete.com/AFOL/event

Our new hotel venue is awesome! Incredible hotel rates have been secured and there is free parking for all Brickfete guests. If you are from out of town (or country) we are located right across from the Toronto Airport, which means you can just fly here, board the shuttle to the hotel and not worry about renting cars, maps or public transit.

Join our website’s free forum if you have any questions or want to discuss things such as sharing a room, collaborative builds, or just a chance to connect with others before the event.

Our list of events are being posted and there is something for everyone to get involved with.

Build Challenges
Live Auction
Prize Raffles
Games
Contests and Activities
And more to come…

Display with us and enjoy the company of other AFOLS. We can’t wait to see you on the attendees list and to see what you have built.

If you are new to conventions and are hesitating… check this forum post out and feel free to ask questions www.brickfete.com/AFOL/thread/120

All the rest of the details and more can be read on www.brickfete.com

Does your child love LEGO?

Check out Brickfête’s Public Expo Days
The general public is invited to view the awesome LEGO Creations on display
July 14th and 15th, 2012 – 10am until 3pm
Tickets sold at the door and online

We cant wait to see you there,
The Brickfête Team
“A festival run by fans, made by the fans, for the fans.”

There are good ways to blend a lot of colors in a model, and there are bad ways. Joe Perez has mastered the good way. The wings really make this model, both in technique and color.

Here’s a perfect example of why there is no such thing as a useless piece. Even broken pieces can be used, given sufficient imagination and skill, as flickr user erth&fiya so aptly demonstrates with his adorable creation made entirely of damaged pieces.