About Bre Burns

After living in the LEGO mecca of Seattle for 9 years, Bre is now home in her native state of Oregon. She briefly worked for the LEGO Group as a Brick Specialist before she left to pursue her career in Zoology, and LEGO remains a huge part of her life. She and her partner Jessie are active members of SEALUG, SPSLUG, FabuLUG and SquatchLUG, and enjoy building creations big and small that span across many themes. Their build handle is Renegade Bricks. Both are also members of the Event Team for BrickCon, and Bre has previously been the Theme Coordinator for Technic/Mindstorms.

Posts by Bre Burns

Smoke and cloak

The two most immediately eye-catching bits on this scene are the smoke and cloaks–well, capes, actually; 8 to be exact. Kevin Peeters does a nice job incorporating them into this lovely windmill. But that’s not the only great part about this build. The cobbled-together look of the stone building and rooftops makes for a great medieval homestead.

The foliage, including the fall-colored tree in the back are also nicely done. But my favorite part might just be the white snake element used for the wisp of smoke from the chimney, a technique we never tire of.

If you’re a fan of the medieval theme, check out some other cool architecture, like a seaside market, floating castle, hero’s cottage, or micro kingdom.

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Tougher than crocodile skin

Crocodiles are one of the toughest animals on the planet. Makes sense, considering their ancestors were around during prehistoric times. So why not create a mech in their image? This excellent mecha croc by Mitsuru Nikaido is one of the coolest I’ve seen. All of the plating and fine detail make for a handsome and fierce opponent.

As a big animal person, I’m always impressed by lifelike body-shaping, and I’m not sure it could be done better here, especially considering it uses a plethora of pieces to give it that mech look. To me, that seems more difficult than building a realistic croc. I love everything about that head, including the lever based used for the eye. The back legs and perfect taper of the tail are also noteworthy.

Mitsuru Nikaido is no stranger to impressive animal mechs. Just take a look at his chameleon (scroll down), lemur, dragonfly, and crane and grasshopper duo.

Finding peace with plant pieces

Nothing says peacefulness like a bonsai tree. And what better way to cultivate the perfect tree than to use LEGO to make it just the way you want it? From it’s beautiful base to the winding trunk, Brent Waller‘s bonsai is a picture of serenity. The shape is gorgeous, especially paired with the clean rockwork. The bridge and little fisherman are cute too!

Brent is also the creator of something completely different, but also 100% epic. He’s the fan designer of the LEGO Ideas set 21108 Ghostbusters Ecto 1. Additionally, you’ll need to zoom in on every detail of his incredible Wayne Manor and Batcave.

Porches aren’t complete without swings

Well, maybe that’s not quite true. But they sure are a nice addition to any country-style home. In my mind, front porch swings mean good times on a warm summer afternoon. It appears that Eli Willsea (Forlorn Empire) feels the same way. His excellent use of garage door elements hanging on chains gives it the perfect look. The support beams on their sides for the porch railings look great too, and the flowers/flowerpot couldn’t be at a more perfect scale.

If you’d like to see more of Eli’s work, take a look at our 2018 Creation of the Year. Or maybe watch a video about the making of his build, “Advanced Simulation”.

The LEGO Movie 2 70842 Emmet’s Triple-Decker Couch Mech [Review]

Even though it’s been out for a little while, we got our hands on a copy of set 70842 Emmet’s Triple-Decker Couch Mech, and figured, why not take a closer look? Let’s dive right in and see how comfy those cushions really are! At $29.99, you’ll be hard-pressed to buy a cheaper brand new couch. Of course, some assembly is required; it consists of 312 pieces and 3 minifigures. (We don’t recommend sitting on this one though)

Click to continue reading more about this set

More than a clock and candlestick

It’s more than an average rose, and they’re more than household items. The loveable duo of Lumiere and Cogsworth are a couple of the most beloved characters in the classic Disney universe. They’ve been recreated in LEGO many times, but this build by Stfn is not to be lost in the crowd. At this scale, the little details matter most. Using a green rifle for the rose stem and a wooden half-barrel with a weapon barrel and Technic wheel for the decorative table base are clever touches. Better yet is the dual purpose of the hinge plates in Cogsworth. Not only do they create the right body shape, but the two-tone color scheme also creates a lovely pattern that suits the character perfectly.

If you like the classic Disney movie, check out this build of Belle and Gaston. Or maybe marvel at the wonders of an award-winning replica of the castle library.

Among the white petals waits a patient predator

Did you know that praying mantises are one of the fastest animals on the planet? They creep deceptively slow as they stalk their prey, but these stealthy strikers can snatch a meal twice as fast as the blink of an eye. Now, I don’t think this mantis, built by DanielBrickSon, is going to be making any sudden moves, but it sure looks good! The body-shaping is accurate, and the use of the Ninjago sword for the front legs is a perfect touch. I have to say, though, one of my most favorite parts is the use of the shin guards for the branch bark, a technique first seen on the cherry tree in Ninjago City.

Another fun fact: male mantises can continue to mate, even after the female decapitates them. She will eat him and any other would-be partners in order to give the eggs the best chance of survival. Romantic, huh? If you like LEGO animals, take a peek at some other (non-cannibalistic) creations, like a handsome boar or this colorful Bioni-frog.

A bunny as sweet as his basket of colorful eggs

If you’ve ever wondered why Easter is associated with bunnies and eggs, you’re not alone! But like many things, it dates back hundreds of years. The legend of a bunny that lays colorful eggs started as a German children’s story that was eventually brought to the US in the 1700’s. Now these symbols of spring and fertility spark “Easter egg hunts” across the world. Today is the second most lucrative day of the year for candy-makers (after Halloween). I particularly like this LEGO tribute, built by Daniel Stoeffler, because the bunny is a little reminiscent of illustrations from old children’s books, like Peter Rabbit. Now, if you celebrate, don’t forget to leave a carrot out for him!

Lifelike features in models are some of my favorite! Daniel says he had inspiration from another LEGO bunny, built by Felix Jaensch.

Easter’s symbol of fertility

Whether you’re religious or not, Easter is a great time to recognize the breath of fresh air that is springtime. The flowers are blooming and baby animals are coming into the world. Rabbits, well known for their prolific ability to procreate, are the adorable mascots of the season. The candy-filled eggs (also a symbol of fertility) are a pretty cool bonus too. Although it doesn’t come with eggs, Felix Jaensch’s latest build sits amongst the best LEGO bunnies around. Most are sitting or standing, but laying down makes this one catch your eye. Realistic as always, it is more proof that he certainly has a keen eye for organic shapes!

If you can’t get enough builds for the occasion, this cartoon-ish bunny is full of character!

A ‘barrow full of Easter eggs

I’m not entirely sure how Easter is celebrated in other countries, but in the US it means the Easter Bunny is coming. This mysterious character, who secretly delivers and hides colorful eggs filled with candy, is the mascot of springtime. And while Easter is still a serious religious holiday for many people, it’s an excellent excuse to play and celebrate. Koen Zwanenburg’s rabbit (looking very much like the Nesquik bunny) is a fun tribute to the season! My favorite parts are the croissant eyebrows and cloud plate cheeks!

Koen says the eggs in the wheelbarrow are actually “easter eggs” of LEGO themes. Can you guess what they are?

Cute from tusk to... tail?

You gotta love it when you see a cool use of parts and wonder, “Why the heck didn’t I think of that?” One of the greatest things about the LEGO community is that we are in a wonderful position to share ideas with each other, all over the world. Inspiration makes us all better builders. And Jens Ohrndorf is certainly a builder who sparks creative ideas. These adorable little pachyderms are part of a menagerie of expertly crafted creatures. Many of which use clever techniques to achieve character. For example, the use of the Unikitty tail element for an elephant trunk is brilliant!

Anxious to see another technique from this builder? Check out these vultures, or perhaps a polar bear. Not into animals? Maybe this awesome toy train will interest you!

Mario gets a BOOSTed makeover [Video]

Who needs virtual reality when you can actually touch the players? Enter LEGO BOOST, some extra bricks, and the imagination of Japanese builder Nipe Nipe. Using adorably crafted characters and interchangeable backgrounds, the classic video game is brought to life on a circular conveyor belt.

This perfectly thought-out game is actually playable via a Bluetooth connection with a phone or tablet. The programming of the system is simple, but comes out looking terrific while in action. With the tap of the screen, you can play the levels of Super Mario Bros in 3D. Like the real game, you have to get the timing just right to avoid those pesky obstacles!

Love Mario Bros? Check out this adorable Goomba, or learn how to build your own LEGO Power Blocks!