Builder Calin picked up a set of small inverted arches for a project, but found they didn’t fit as he’d intended. But rather than toss them directly into his parts bin, he found the inspiration to use them in this delightful T-Bucket hot rod. A few tiles and ingots to build out the fenders and running boards, and this build is off to the races. Proof that when it comes to LEGO, no parts ever really go to waste.
At this point, nothing from LEGO builder extraordinaire Paul Hetherington should really surprise me, and yet I was still blown away when I saw this recreation of Casa Madrigal from Disney’s Encanto. But not because it’s wonderfully detailed—although it is—but because unlike any of the other beautiful LEGO versions that I’ve seen, this one really dances along, just like the magical house in the movie.
Paul has packed the interior of the house with motors and mechanisms that cause the roof tiles to pulse in rhythm, the shutters and doors to open and close, and even the rain cloud to rock back and forth.
Be sure to check out more of Paul’s amazing work that we’ve featured: Paul Hetherington on TBB
Okay, so we’re almost exactly on the opposite side of the calendar from the Ides of March, but Julias Caesar is still having a pretty bad October in this LEGO diorama by Victor van den Berg. It’s rare to see a diorama this large that’s set indoors, but this recreation of the Roman Senate is gorgeous from top to bottom, including lovely mosaics on both the top and bottom. Although LEGO has never produced a Roman theme, there are enough key pieces floating around that seem perfect for it, from the Roman Emporer collectible minifigure from Series 9, to the marble scrollwork element and the gladius, and together they bring this scene to life.
Famed LEGO builder Dan Ko described a phenomenon that most of us know too well. He had a brown chair piece sitting out at his desk collecting dust for quite some time so instead of sorting it into its proper bin, he decided to build Groot with it. Then he figured, what’s Groot without his BFF Rocket? So because of Dan’s-laziness, I guess- we can all admire a quick little built chock full of fun character. Sorting can be a tedious business. You tell yourself you’re going to get to it someday and reach LEGO builder nirvana, which is zero brick unsorted, but then days turn into months and months into years, and, in the case of some of my friends, you have about an Olympic-sized swimming pool worth of unsorted brick. Do you all know anyone who has reached LEGO-sorting nirvana? Because I sure don’t!
I can almost hear the high-pitched battle cries of this LEGO Ewok trio as it charges into battle! Created by Martin Harris, Wicket and friends look like they’re ready to take down any AT-ST they come across on Endor. The character design here is just grand, with loads of texture on the face and torso. I especially like the use of clips to hold on the Ewoks’ ear tiles at just the right angle. And the weapon-crafting here is adept as well, especially the axe wielded by the figure on the left. It’s perfectly-scaled and totally looks like something that would be improvised amid the forest from a bygone battle. But my favorite bit of part usage has got to the use of this complex slope on the tree trunks in the background. It’s one of those parts that I constantly try to find a use for, but it’s always too big and bulky to fit anywhere. Thank goodness Martin’s here to show me how it’s done!
To celebrate today’s premiere of Andor on Disney+, Eric T has recreated a scene from the trailer as an impressive LEGO vignette. It can’t be easy recreating a scene you haven’t seen in full – especially a scene that’s as dimly lit as the one Eric has chosen. But Eric’s enthusiasm for the show, combined with a bit of artistic license and the minifigures from 75338 Ambush on Ferrix, got him over the finish line.
Once again famed LEGO builder Bart De Dobbelaer is the Supreme leader when it comes to fleshing out unsettling alien worlds. In his own words he tells us; “With little to no natural light keeping greenhouses on Exobudria 9 seemed impossible. But thanks to a clever symbiosis with the indigenous insects, the light and warmth of their hives proved to be exactly what the plants needed.” True to his style, he provides just enough clues to entice you in, like the opening scene of a great sci-fi movie, then leaves you wanting to know more. Like what exactly are those plants for? What’s with all those greebly bits? And why is space so damned creepy? Check out our Bart De Dobbelaer archives that will likely answer none of these questions but is enticing as heck anyway.
If you’re looking for love, or looking for great part usage, Ted Andes has you covered – provided you can cut through those plastic clam shells. The concept of using window panes for packaging been kicking around the LEGO community for a while, but the inclusion of DOTS printed tiles gives the whole idea a bit of a boost. Emmet sure seems to think so, anyway.
And if you prefer your vending machines to dispense candy, well, do I have the build for you…
I may have gone cross-eyed trying to follow the lines on this house built by Pan Noda. With its atypical architecture, I’m picking up some serious Burrow vibes from the Harry Potter franchise. The color choices here are perfect, featuring white with brown trim. But it’s those subtle patches of tan, and the occasional chip or crack in the walls that give the structure a weathered look without taking anything away from its crisscrossing vectors. And I adore the unusual choice of pine tree design in the house’s front yard. The straight lines of needles on each bough take me deeper into the Google DeepDream that is this construction. And overall, it’s oddly satisfying!
Employing some delightful designs within the overall model, Builder Alexandre Bigeard has crafted a sleek spacecraft full of detail. Fans of ships such as this know well the similarities and slight differences that pop up as designer after designer tries their hand in this style. Panels made of stacked brick and laden with details attach at varying angles to a greebly central frame. Technically intricate pieces line every visible surface to really sell the spacey them. Industrial colors of gray, black, and tan are augmented with lines of red and yellow, lining this up to be quite the lurker within the dark void of space.
More details and an exploded view on this build below
Of all the excellent vignettes that the LEGO community pumps out (and there are loads – just look through our archives), my favourite setting has to be the seafloor, particularly coral reefs. Just as it allows sealife to flourish, the bright colours and quasi-alien lifeforms give builders a chance to flex their creative muscles. Case in point: Tom de Kesel‘s latest effort. Although the treasure-hunting submersible is undoubtedly the protagonist, the eye is inevitably drawn to the colourful coral. With carrots, bananas and cherries in there, it almost looks more like a fruit salad! I’ll highlight the Speed Champions hubcap used as a propellor on the sub as well. Given these pieces only have one viable connection point I’m always impressed when I see clever uses for them!
LEGO creations by Eann are often inspired by mushrooms. When you browse their photostream, this becomes quite evident. When you take a closer look at this creation, you’ll also notice that mushrooms are somewhat of a theme. There are mushrooms at the base of the building. The minifigures sidekick is a mushroom with a face. Even the build itself looks like the stalk of a mushroom. But maybe that is just the organic shape of the white tower and the fact that it is equipped with a red roof. Maybe it’s me, maybe I am just seeing mushrooms everywhere since autumn is around the corner. Who knows… All I know is that the details on this creation are out of this world and that I need to expand my collection of coral coloured bricks.
