A good feast is worth fighting for

These cute woodland citizens gathering acorns in this LEGO scene by Ids de Jong may look harmless, but they are armed and ready to defend their bountiful banquet. While the tree and the landscape are masterfully constructed, my favorite plants are the two winding dandelion flowers, which could make a lovely tea to help wash down those delicious nuts. Many builders have used the custom mouse heads from Citizen Brick, but this builder digs deep into the LEGO archives for some Fabuland animal heads to create these memorable defenders.

Protecting the acorns

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Miniature LEGO castle on the water

I’ve been a fan of microscale LEGO master Jeff Friesen for many years and have created more than a few microscale builds inspired by his work. I recently made a series of castle builds on a 10×10 base, each using a limited color palette. This is one of my favorites from that series, using bright yellow/orange elements for the roofs. The series of waterfalls gives the castle a bit of character and is also heavily influenced by Jeff’s many waterway-filled builds. One of my favorite modified bricks to use in castle builds is the 1×2 brick with a vertical gap, which makes great tower windows.

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Ralf Langer returns with a tranquil gem of a build

Has it really been over a year since we’ve last experienced a new Ralf Langer build? Just when we need it most, Ralf returns to brighten our day with The “Geode,” a serene scene built atop a slice of polished stone. The builder’s hallmarks are here: soothing colors, twisting trees, intricate architecture, and composition that is second to none. The limited color palette is striking, sticking to white for the rocks, bark, and pavilion steps. For the geode surface, Ralf worked with lime green but confesses that he would have preferred to use medium green but lacked the necessary parts to pull it off. I especially admire the pavilion roof, which incorporates clever techniques like a twisted chain on the top and minifig hands to create intricate latticework.

Flickr

Are you inspired by this zen-like build? Why not browse our Ralf Langer archives, or if you’re curious about making trees like these, check out this handy tutorial from the builder.

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LEGO MetalGreymon is digidestined to impress

While Digimon might not have the enduring popularity of their pocket monster rivals, these cyborg creatures have a fierce intensity that some fans will never forget. Especially MetalGreymon, the Ultimate form of Agumon and basically the franchise’s Pikachu. Only if Pikachu was a cyborg T-Rex with a metal claw and purple wings.  Builder nobu_tary brings the beast from the digital world into LEGO and the results are digidelightful.  nobu_tary excels at building chonky little dudes, which makes for a perfect fit with the Digimon design.

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You’re going to want to slow down to appreciate these LEGO speeders

No, these aren’t the latest Star Wars UCS models from LEGO. This trio of speeders comes courtesy of  Mirko Soppelsa, designer of amazingly detailed replicas of characters and ships from a galaxy far, far away. Mirko created two versions of the 74-Z speeder bike – in brown, as seen in Return of the Jedi, as well as the white version seen in The Mandalorian. The builder also expands his offering of brick-build characters with two pilot options – the classic Scout Trooper or rewired assassin droid IG-11 and pint-sized ward Grogu.

Z-Project - A version (31)

Constructed from between 4280 to 4494 parts depending on the configuration, and stretching 73cm (or 2 feet 5 inches)  these amazing speeders deserve a closer look.

Move closer and get alongside this amazing LEGO Speeder Bike MOCs

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Decapo-dacious

Adding to an already impressive biomechanical menagerie, this cracking-good Coconut Crab creation by Mitsuru Nikaido bears all this talented LEGO builder’s hallmarks. Chiefly, their signature monochrome style, and absolutely nailing the character of the subject.
LEGO Coconut crab mech_02
This latest offering takes full advantage of a variety of new-ish angled and wedge shaped LEGO tile elements, used to great effect by a talented builder with an unfailing eye for proportion and detail.
If carcinization (look it up) really is the ultimate destiny for life on earth, let’s all hope at least it comes with this much style.

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Gear up, space cowboy

Alvaro Gunawan calls this sleek LEGO starfighter the Radial Flux, but you could also call it the Daggerfish, a chibi companion to Spike Spiegel’s iconic Swordfish II. It’s a brilliant, compact design that also evokes muscle cars and WWII fighters, effectively strapping the pilot to a powerful engine. I love how the wheel arches hug the windscreen.  A circular gear rack lends a striking silhouette and reinforces that, while the Radial Flux is small, it packs a punch!

Radial Flux

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LEGO Botanicals 10345 Flower Arrangement [Review]

As you may already know, the LEGO Icons Botanical Collection has become so popular that it is now its own theme! The latest addition in this line, LEGO Botanicals 10345 Flower Arrangement, is colorful and inviting. The set contains 1161 pieces and is currently available for US $109.99 | CAN $139.99 | UK £94.99. You may also be able to find it from third party sellers such as Amazon and eBay. Join us as we embrace our inner florist, and see if it’s worth the price.

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Continue reading

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A bad day fishing still beats a good day working

LEGO builder Mike Sinclair tells us that at least a couple of men in his family enjoy fishing. As a result, be built this neat little diorama called Grandpa’s Favorite Spot. But where’s grandpa? I see his fishing rod, his favorite chair that, if taken apart, could look right at home at a ski resort. I also see a beverage can as well as a glass bottle in the drink with a message inside. All of his favorite elements are here but grandpa is off galavanting somewhere else. I get the hunch that with grandpa his enjoyment for fishing isn’t always in the fish he can catch but rather the feeling of just being in a favorite place. I can relate; I love being in certain spaces even if I don’t achieve my stated purpose for getting there. It’s probably for the best, anyway. From the looks of it, the fish aren’t even biting.

Grandpa's Favorite Spot

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Versteinert’s LEGO Campervan is packed with cozy comfort and clever LEGO tricks

Every new classic car design from Genman builder Versteinert is a masterclass in NPU (“Nice Parts Usage”), and this 7-stud wide Ford Transit Mk1 Campervan is no exception. Fitting for a vehicle ready for a summer beach picnic, hot dogs, forks, and a sizzling grille feature prominently in the build, but not where you might think. Using rollerskates for door handles is a tried-and-true technique, but I’ve never seen them used like Versteinert does on the grille, where stacks of skates wrapped in a rubber band fit so perfectly you won’t believe it’s not a pre-molded part.

Ford Transit Mk1 Campervan

This vacation wagon follows two utilitarian versions of the Transit Mk1 that Versteinert built last year, this repair service truck and a firetruck version.

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I’m here, so just grin and bear it

Part of the thrill of living in nature and off-the-grid is sometimes that aforementioned nature just might show up at your front door. Case in point, Jérôme Barchietto presents a charming LEGO build of a cozy cabin, a seasoned old occupant, and his faithful husky. With great build techniques and stunning photography, this piece would be good enough to warrant a feature here at The Brothers Brick. I mean, just look at the ramshackle way the boards of the roof are constructed! The tiny add-on for the pup, snow on the roof and the log textures really makes it all come to life. But follow their gaze and you’ll see they are fixed upon the bear at their front step. He’s likely saying, “pardon the intrusion good sirs, but may I borrow a spot of honey?” In this situation, it’s best (and neighborly) to do what the bear asks.

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This LEGO castle’s a keep(er)

No stranger to The Brothers Brick, prolific Australian LEGO builder Ben Cossy seems to dabble in just about every building theme, turning out a string of quality creations both large and small. Of his latest, Ben says it “might actually be my favorite castle creation that I have made.” Understandably so! A closer look at his striking and retro-inspired Black Falcon’s Keep reveals why.

Black Falcon's Keep

See more of Ben’s great castle below!

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