Impossibly Large Creation

We talk about scale a lot here at BrickNerd, it’s one of the hallmarks of LEGO creations. Occasionally something comes along that gives me pause in my scrolling through Flickr. It’s usually something that makes you go “wait, that’s LEGO?”. Well that’s precisely my reaction to this creation by builder Uomosenzanome, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I’ve stared and stared at the screen, but I can’t see a single visual clue as to the scale of this, no comparable reference, no cracks, not tell-tale part use, no clever SNOT construction, nothing.

The Colosseum

I love hearing the spark of inspiration behind a MOC as beautiful and intricate as this Colosseum by SkyWalter. In this case it’s the 1x2 “jumper arch” that started it all. Those and the new style wands make up the classic arches and columns of this wonderfully realized Architecture style piece.

Poppi

I’ve never played Xenoblade Chronicles 2, so I didn’t recognize this character at first, but a quick google search revealed just how faithful a representation of Poppi ⍺ by builder Bodhi Poharu this is. And while she may be frustratingly fragile, the effort to build and photograph her was totally worth it.

The Most Important Meal Of The Day

You shouldn’t skip breakfast. Your body needs fuel to run, and if you’re going to be productive at work or school, you need energy. It’s also delicious, or at least is when it’s not brick-built like this stunning stack of yummy blueberry pancakes by builder LittleJohn. While they may not hold any nutritional value, they’re a feast for the eyes.

Drillbilly

Digging holes sucks, just ask anyone who digs holes. And wherever there’s a job that sucks there’s a need for a robot to do that job for us. Luckily there’s DB-Y3, or “Drillbilly” by builder roΙΙi. Drillbilly can not only take care of those needed holes in the ground, he can do so with a wide range of emotions, and anyone who has dug holes will confirm, there’s a spectrum. It goes from quiet resignation to bitter regret and questioning of life choices.

VAB

Have very few regrets in life, but one of them is not getting to see a shuttle launch with my dad. Not that it was an easy thing to do, I live about as far away from Cape Kennedy as you can in the continental US, and my dad lived in Kansas. Any given mission could be scrubbed at the last minute, that’s a long way to travel on a bet. I did eventually get to stand in the shadow of this building, and it’s every bit as impressive as you’d expect. It’s on a scale that’s hard to imagine until you’re actually there. This version by Rphilo004, is a little less intimidating, but still very impressive at micro scale. As we approach the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, I’m sure we’ll see more builds like this, and I’m personally really looking forward to it.

Super Shiny Batpod

I have to admit once I got over the temporary paralysis upon first seeing this beauty by ianying616 I thought to myself “Batman would never ride a chrome Batpod”, but upon further thought I’m not so sure. The thing about chrome (and what makes it hard to illustrate, and render for that matter) is it’s not really its own color, but characterized by its environment. It reflects what’s around it, and in Batman’s case, wouldn’t that be the darkened streets of Gotham? Might not be so bad after all.

Android

I continue to be fascinated with builder Moko’s ability to not only make sleek and shapely figures, but to make them so posable. This one doesn’t seem to be based on any particular character, not that I would have any idea who it is anyway, but at least I don’t have to try and learn a bunch of stuff to share with you that I will immediately forget.

It's A Good Bet The Empire Knows We're Here

So there you are, on a barren, frozen world, having spend months carving out ice caves and trying to survive. You finally get everything just about how you need it and one of these things (brilliantly recreated by Lino M) shows up and blows everything. Probe droids, this is why we can’t have nice things (or secret bases).

Overflowing With Art

Art is what you make it, so it’s different for every person. I like this piece by builder jarekwally because of it’s dynamic nature, capturing motion beautifully and it’s simple coloration, stark and contrasty. But I also like that it doesn't come with a lot of explanation, no message of symbolism or pompous backstory, just some beautiful sculpting and nice imagery.

Bricks Of Character Available Now

Long about 10 years ago I attended by first LEGO convention, BrickCon. It was there I made my first AFOL friend, Iain Heath, and we’ve been buddies ever since. During that con we decided our MOCs didn’t really belong anywhere, so we commandeered a section of unused tables in the back and set up our character based pieces. It was a hit with the public and we decided it should be a thing every year, and a new category was born, Bricks of Character. We’ve both been evangelists of pop culture and character builds ever since ( you may have noticed just a few on this very website)

Well fast forward 10 years and Iain is taking his builds to the next level, and sharing the character building and pop culture experience with everyone with the release of a select few of his brilliant creations marketed under the Bricks of Character brand. Who does’t want a porg on their desk? Or a poop emoji? Well you can have the first three (and more to come!) from Amazon, get yours today!

Bricks of Character Kiss Emoji

Bricks of Character

Bricks of Character PORG

Bricks of Character

Bricks of Character Poop Emoji

Bricks of Character

Silver Soul

Builder ianying616 is back with a whole lot of shininess. Just yesterday I was listening to a My Brother My Brother and Me podcast and they were talking about trikes. I don’t care who you are, if you show up on this lovely beast you’re going to some raised eyebrows and dropped jaws. If for no other reason than the guts to ride with your butt so close to open wheels like that.

Dragula

I’m curious how many of you instantly heard The Munsters theme in your head as soon as you recognized this classic car from the series. It’s Dragula, Grampa’s sweet ride by builder rabidnovaracer. Car designer George Barris created both this and the Munster Koach for the series, further evidence of just how much love and commitment everyone had for that show. It was weird, it was different, it was wonderful.

The Garbage Will Do

One of the things I love about this ever expanding series by builder dib b is the fact that the Millennium Falcon is slightly different in every one (no really, look at the previous builds). This one is from my favorite scene in The Force Awakens, with Rey and Fin escaping Jakku aboard the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy.

A Screamin' Fast Lancia

Those with a sticker aversion should probably keep scrolling, because this baby is stickeriffic. Builder Bricksonwheels spent four months recreating this ‘92 rally car classic, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo driven by Didier Auriol. It’s 1:11 scale, and detailed top to bottom and front to back. It looks fast, real fast.

Go Bananas

Generally speaking we don’t promote kits or professional endeavors here on BrickNerd, but it’s my blog and I can break any rule I want (try and do something about it, come at me bro, you want some of this? and other dismissive counterattacks). The fabulous Bruce Lowell is one of my first AFOL buddies, going way back to my first con in 2009, and this is his first set. While I haven’t watched any Arrested Development I’m a devout frozen banana fan, and you can be either or both with this excellent Frozen Banana Stand featuring custom printed elements and die cut stickers. For more details visit www.brucelowell.com

Matteo, The Immortal Flame

I always find it interesting when a builder updates an older model. It’s a creative-type quirk to never be satisfied, or at least to only be temporarily satisfied with our work. And while we may be our own worst critics at times, some of us see that as inspiration to take that creative vision further. Take for example Matteo here by builder Mana Ramp Matoran, this is the fifth iteration of this character, and he gets better every time.

Paddington Bear

Spend any time in London and you’re bound to run into this little guy, Paddington Bear. I ran into him at Hamleys, the oldest and largest toy store in London, and I brought him home to America. Builder vincentkiew is clearly a fan too, and has crafted this charming version in bricks.

Dodge Tomahawk

So. Much. Shiny. The Dodge Tomahawk may have never gotten past the concept phase, but you have to admit, she was a beauty. It was a radical design, that some would argue wasn’t really a motorcycle because it actually had four wheels, but I think it was through and through. This version by ianying616 has all the attitude of the real thing, and a heck of a lot of super shiny parts (my spirit animal is clearly a raccoon).

The Seahorse

Seven Facts About Seahorses:

1. They have no teeth or stomach

2. The male is the one that gives birth.

3. They are masters of disguise.

4. A baby seahorse is called a “fry” (isn't that cute?)

5. They’re actually poor swimmers.

6. A group of seahorses is called a “herd”

7. When built in LEGO, like this one by Brother Steven, they are especially adorable.