TBB alum and RebelLUG member Nannan Zhang can always be counted on for builds that mix innovative techniques with elegant presentation. The AFOL legend’s latest creation depicts a medieval farm where lavender is in bloom. Originally created as part of a collaborative castle build at Brickworld Chicago this past summer, Nannan created a black frame to hold the andscape and added a new farmhouse.
See more of Nannan’s pastoral creation after the break
It’s nice to know that the LEGO community are such kind-hearted people. Take our friend Deborah Higdon, for example. This frosty-themed pair of mittens alone would have warranted a feature this time of year but she’ll build a unique pair every day in December. This one happens to be day sixteen. The kind-hearted part is this is for the Build to Give charity; build something with the heart theme, post to social media with the buildtogive hashtag and LEGO will give sets to children in hospitals, care homes and other disadvantaged situations. The holidays can be a rough time of the year for some folks and it’s nice to see Deborah and others become a part of something so special.
I couldn’t pick just one favorite so here is a very dimensional pair wrapped up in a bow.
And finally here’s another that’s sort of abstract, like a mitten snow angel pressed into the snow. You too can join in on the festivities. Simply build something with the heart theme and use the hashtag on all your socials. Like so: #buildtogive. Be sure to check in with Deborah every day this month to see what other warm and fuzzy sentiments she has in store and use the hashtag to see what other talented builders around the globe are doing with their entries.
I’ve always loved seeing new Treebeard MOCs, because he’s rarely ever built the same way twice. The variety of scales and building techniques we’ve seen used to create one of my favorite Tolkien characters makes it all the more interesting, and this Treebeard build from Ben Arkley is one of the most impressive yet. The sheer scale of this build is the first thing that sticks out, especially when you notice how tiny Merry and Pippin are in contrast.
Click to see more of this colossal Treebeard
Scrolling through the creations of Thorben (tee_baum_bricks) is like a glimpse into a nerdy LEGO fan’s fever dreams. It’s a place where Saturday morning cartoons and eldritch horror meet over a slice of pizza. This year, Thorben has created a series of mechs and super soldiers based on family-friendly game and cartoon characters. This SpongeBob mech first grabbed my attention (with those sick clawed arms). In Thorben’s world, the absorbent power of sponges aid pirates in their undersea invasion. Poor SpongeBob, trapped inside this infernal machine.
Meanwhile, in the Mushroom Kingdom T.O.A.D.E.T.T.E. in AI-enhanced power armor leads the charge. Thorben credits Brickbot Studio for the power armor frame fundamentals.
See more mash-up mechs after the fold
Minifig Monday is back after a few weeks away, and since it’s been a few weeks, we thought we’d bring you a jumbo-sized lineup of “large” characters. All of the featured figures incorporate minifig elements but are assembled from dozens of elements to create ornate designs and dynamic poses.
Bricksnbeasts leads the pack with Anubis, Keeper of Forgotten Souls in black and gold. The Egyptian god’s weapons are especially epic, like the sword that uses dual axe blades for the hilt. A gold sprue works perfectly for a scarab detail on the chest.
brickbot_studio diverges from his signature bot style to pay tribute to one of the great 90s sci-fi films: The Fifth Element. This all-gold Mondoshawan is instantly recognizable. The ray gun element seems like it was made for that alien face.
Our jumbo-sized tribute to not-so-mini figs continue after the break
LEGO’s Happy Plants is one of our favorite sets of the year. Not only does it offer joy right out of the box, but the set has inspired so much creativity in the community as folks remix the concept with a personal touch. Tim Goddard, a legend in these parts, is the latest builder to get the green thumb bug. As end-of-year appreciation gifts for colleagues, Tim assembled a greenhouse worth of potted pals with bright colors and even brighter expressions. It’s evidence of just how rich the soil is for cute LEGO planters.
You’re probably wondering how Tim came up with all of these brilliant flowerpot builds. As talented as Tim is, I suspect he had a little help from a Trandoshan botanist and droids.
LEGO has given us the 2025 F1 grid and a new F1 Academy Partnership, but bentobrick wants to go back in time and add to the Icons options for F1. As a result, we get the Brabham BT52 from 1983. Bento takes advantage of the clean angles of the 80’s F1 cars, and provides a ground clearance worthy of the sport. The builder started with a render to prove out the build…
…before moving to physical LEGO bricks. The results are the perfect mix of modern building techniques and ’80s racing design that bentobrick excels at.
Pop culture is full of memorable vehicular stunts; from the repeating tropes like KITT’s Turbo Boost to Steve McQueen’s classic high-speed chase in Bullitt. But the most beloved of them all has got to be the motorcycle slide from Akira. And Dan Ko shows us you’re never too young to homage a classic, with this infant bike slide built as a part of a Secret Santa project. Which is perfect, because this vignette looks small enough to hang on a tree branch.
When I first glanced at this Vic Viper from pyrefyre I thought it was a great micro-scale build…but there is a minifig hiding behind that transparent-black windscreen. Then came the rush of part recognition. Amidst the sharp angles of slopes, tiles and wedge plates, I saw the ball joints as the base of the struts connecting the engines. This design could stand in any scale, but it is particularly enjoyable holding its minifig.
You think it’s hard getting home for the holidays? Try having to traverse the galaxy. After all, it’s Christmas time in space, too. And Santa Claus is busy enough trying to hit all the houses on Earth. Which means it’s up to this dedicated gray alien to deliver presents on their planet. Thankfully, Frost has constructed them a vehicle suitable to the task. We’re assuming Earth reindeer can’t breathe the atmosphere, so a heavy-duty pair of treads and skis will have to do instead. And no need to check the list again, because I’m certain that radar dish is able to detect the naughty/nice levels of the local population.
See more of Frost’s out of this world holiday scenes
Back in 2002, Pluto Nash flopped hard in theaters and The Segway was supposed to change our lives as we knew it. LEGO also had a major misstep with the short-lived Galador line with most folks citing it as a departure from what the LEGO experience should be. This makes it all the more hilarious as Will Hafner has an advent calendar of sorts sure to squig you out big time. He promises 24 days of Galidor (or Glinchmas) and I’m here for it. Some entries of note so far include this meat-head-alien sure to have you questioning your life choices.
Next on the slab is the unsettling Spider-Man playing a violin. Or Man-Spider? Why is his spider half flesh-colored? Does this mean he’s only wearing a suit top? Does the spider web come out where you’d think it would? This creation proposes questions that are probably best left unanswered.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t upset your good sensibilities once more with this -um- reptilian abomination in a onesie. Is it just learning to crawl? Is it cold-blooded like a prosthetic leg? Does it want to eat your face? I’m going to wager that the answers to all three questions and more are a resounding yes. It’s still early in December yet. There’s plenty more days before Christmas to vomit in our mouths just a little, so be sure to check in with Will every day for more Galidor shenanigans!
Exo-Force, LEGO’s anime-inspired precursor to Ninjago, is turning 20 and nostalgia for the mech-centric theme has never been higher. Andrew Somers is the latest builder to return to Sentai Mountain. Taking a break from his usual grounded military builds, Andrew reimagines the bright orange Mobile Defense Tank, LEGO’s tachikoma-esque with quad treads and heavy armament to take on enemy drones. Andrew reuses the classic printed orange elements while rebuilding the legs with Technic treads and applies his skill with modern weaponry in redoing the tank’s cannons. The accompanying decor and fleeing drones bring the setting to life. It’s a very modern build that stays very true to its classic inspiration.
Andrew also contributed to the Medina Al Musawrah collab earlier this year.