My LEGO Blog

LEGO DONKEY KONG

2010-01-30T13:19:00.000-08:00

LEGO ARCADE 2

2010-01-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

LEGO ARCADE

2010-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

2010 Lego Set News

2009-11-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Hold on tight!

LEGO is going to have Toy Story sets in 2010.

Where is that credit card?

LEGO Legend Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen to Be Inducted Into the Toy Hall of Fame

2008-11-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK, NY, October 31, 2007 – The third generation of the LEGO Family and principal shareholder, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen has been named the 2008 Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductee. The announcement was made today by Carter Keithley, president of Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA), sponsor of the event, and Alan Hassenfeld, Toy Industry Hall of Fame Committee Chairman. Established in 1984, the Toy Industry Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the toy industry.

The ceremony inducting Mr. Kristiansen will take place as part of the eighth annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy of the Year) Awards event, set for the evening of Saturday, February 16, 2008 in Manhattan at Chelsea Piers/Pier 60. Mr. Kristiansen will be on-hand to accept the award in person.

“LEGO revolutionized the way kids play and build with blocks,” said Alan Hassenfeld, Toy Industry Hall of Fame Committee Chairman. “We are honored to have Kjeld join many other industry icons in the Toy Hall of Fame.”

Kjeld’s passion for the LEGO play experience and brand started at a young age. Grandson of the company founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, he demonstrated a natural talent for creativity as a boy, often inspiring and testing new LEGO® model concepts and their building instructions. He and his sisters also appeared on many of the company’s packages and marketing materials.

Kjeld is a company pioneer in projects and programs that have made the LEGO brand one of the strongest among families with children around the world. He introduced the idea of creating a system within the LEGO System, and was the driving force behind grouping LEGO products into themes and product lines to sharpen the identity of the brand. He led the introduction of the first LEGO figures to add role play to LEGO building in 1974, leading to the contemporary and iconic LEGO minifigure in 1978. Kjeld launched the brand into the virtual world in 1996 with the introduction of LEGO.com, endorsed collaboration with MIT to develop LEGO MINDSTORMS® in 1998 and opened the door to licensing with the company’s first constructible entertainment property – Star Wars™ – in 1999.

In 1979, he was appointed president and CEO of the LEGO Group. In 2004, he stepped down as CEO to focus on his role as owner of the LEGO Group and Vice-Chairman of the Board, while maintaining his role as Chairman of the Board of KIRKBI A/S, LEGO Holding A/S and the LEGO Foundation. Additionally, he is an active member of the company’s Brand & Innovation Board, setting the overall strategic direction of the LEGO brand and the development of new business ideas, so he remains very close to the development of the company’s business and products.

Kjeld’s contributions to the creative development of children around the world have been recognized many times over. In 1994, Kjeld was appointed a Knight of Denmark's Dannebrog Order. In 1996, he received The Freedom Prize from the Max Schmidheiny Foundation, Switzerland, the "Distinguished Family Business Award" from the International Institute for Management and Development (IMD), Switzerland, and the Moran (Peony) insignia of the Order of Civil Merit by the Korean Government. In 2005, he received the FIRST Founder’s Award from Dean Kamen for his work in inspiring children’s interest in science and technology through creative LEGO play via the FIRST LEGO League program.

Born in 1947 in Billund, Denmark – home town of the LEGO brick, Kjeld and his wife, Camilla, live in Denmark and have three children.

About the T.O.T.Y. Awards
The T.O.T.Y. Awards were conceived to honor the best toys developed by the international toy industry for consumers in North America. The Awards include eleven industry award categories, and one industry recognition category designed to recognize the best toys and children's entertainment, as well as outstanding individuals, companies and team achievements. The T.O.T.Y. Awards ceremony also includes a fundraising campaign to benefit the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), the philanthropic and educational organization representing the North American toy industry. The Foundation's mission is to make a difference in the lives of children in need, bringing them joy, happiness and comfort through the experience of toys and play.

About TIA
TIA is the trade association for North American producers and importers of toys, games and entertainment products for the youth market. TIA owns and manages Toy Fair, ToyCon, TIA’s Annual Meeting and Conference; and the Fall Toy Preview. Visit the TIA website at: www.toyassociation.org.

LEGO Indy in Star Wars Video Game

2007-12-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

Looks as if Indy has his hands full with these guys...

LEGO® Indiana Jones: The Videogame by LucasArts

2007-08-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

If Family Adventure Has a Name, It Must Be LEGO® Indiana Jones: The Videogame
LucasArts and TT Games Don Their Fedoras for the Next Great LEGO Gaming Experience
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — July 27, 2007 – LucasArts and TT Games today announced that LEGO® Indiana Jones®: The Videogame [working title] will whip onto game consoles everywhere in summer 2008. Developed by the same team at Traveller’s Tales that created the LEGO Star Wars™ series, LEGO Indiana Jones presents a tongue-in-cheek take on the first three cinematic adventures of pop culture’s most iconic archaeologist, including Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

“LucasArts and TT Games are setting the bar for next-generation family entertainment with the LEGO Star Wars franchise, and our incredible relationship continues with LEGO Indiana Jones,” said Jim Ward, president of LucasArts. “In addition to providing the quality bonding time inspired by any good family game, LEGO Indiana Jones delivers something a little different for everyone. Parents will enjoy the humorous take on some of their favorite movies, and their kids get some rousing action/adventure gameplay that may also introduce them to Indy’s original adventures for the first time.”

“It has been a real joy to work with LucasArts on the LEGO Star Wars games. Indiana Jones is the perfect character for the next LEGO-based videogame adventure,” said Tom Stone, director at TT Games. “Indy also presents us with wonderful and memorable cinematic moments. The boulder scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark in LEGO is hilarious!”

Lucasfilm Ltd. recently announced that the LEGO Group will begin releasing LEGO Indiana Jones playsets in January 2008. Meanwhile, LucasArts remains hard at work on its revolutionary, internally developed Indiana Jones videogame, which takes place a year after The Last Crusade in an original story overseen by George Lucas.

My BrickLink Store s Reopened!

2007-07-11T01:52:00.000-07:00

I reopened my BrickLink Store today. So why not head over and buy some lego bits and pieces from me?

http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=uslackeru

LEGO Gets Rights to Indiana Jones™ Property

2007-06-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

LEGO Group Secures Exclusive Construction Category Rights to Indiana Jones™ Property

--World’s best-selling construction toy brand to bring blockbuster movie franchise to life in LEGO® form—

NEW YORK (June 18, 2007) – LEGO Group, the world’s leading construction toy manufacturer, today announces a partnership with Lucasfilm Ltd. to produce building sets based on the Indiana Jones franchise – one of the most globally successful movie series ever made.

Three worldwide blockbuster films, and the highly anticipated May 2008 premiere of the new Indiana Jones movie, will provide inspiration for a series of highly iconic and action-packed build-and-play adventures of the rogue archaeologist and hero.

“There is such a natural synergy between Lucasfilm and LEGO enthusiasts of all ages that makes combining our stories with the LEGO play pattern an easy decision,” said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. “We’re thrilled to have a chance to share the history and success of LEGO Star Wars with another Lucas franchise.”

Four playsets based on the classic trilogy are slated to launch in January 2008. Three sets based on iconic scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark include: Temple Escape ($49.99 USD) which brings the legendary rolling boulder scene to life in LEGO form as Indy faces spiders and poisoned darts in his search for the Golden Idol of Fertility. With Race for the Stolen Treasure ($29.99 USD), kids build two desert vehicles and recreate Indy’s truck-hopping fight to save the treasure. Indiana Jones and the Lost Tomb ($19.99 USD) recreates the eye-popping suspense of Indy rescuing Marion from slithering snakes in an Egyptian tomb. And based on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade action, Motorcycle Chase ($9.99 USD) depicts the scene where Indy and his father escape with the map to the hidden temple.

Four more constructible playsets based on the fourth movie will launch in May 2008, with suggested retail prices ranging from $9.99 to $79.99 USD.

“We are thrilled to be bringing yet another blockbuster Lucasfilm property to life for LEGO kids and adult enthusiasts,” said Jill Wilfert, vice president, partnership and alliance management for the LEGO Group. “The marriage of strong story, well-known characters, dynamic vehicles and action-oriented movie scenes with the classic LEGO play pattern is a proven winner, and Indiana Jones lends itself perfectly to the build-and-play world of LEGO building.”
For more than 25 years, audiences have been enraptured by the exploits of Indiana Jones. The film trilogy – Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – garnered 14 Academy Award nominations, won 7 Oscars, and grossed over $1,182,000,000 at the box office. The films are among the most popular movies ever made and have become a legendary part of film history.
# # #

About the LEGO Group
The LEGO Group (www.LEGO.com) is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities through its products, which can be purchased in more than 130 countries, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough."

LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2007 The LEGO Group.

© 2007 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

New Lego Star Wars Game Coming

2007-06-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Only problem I can see with this new game [and I am a huge fan of the first two] is that I won't be able to get it on PSP! The first one was great but I wanted for PSP. The second one came out and a bought the first day. But no PSP on this one :(

I will still get it for my PS2 but man I wish I could take it with me via the PSP.

Best Spider-man Lego Movie Ever

2007-06-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Trek Lego

2007-06-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is a guy after my own heart.

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=onedaycnn

He has a great NX-01 and Klingon Ship design which I will need to try and recreate at some point. But I am spending way too much time and money on my TOS bridge playset at the moment.

LEGO Fruit Snacks

2007-05-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

Bricks you can eat! First there was LEGO my EGGO! Now we get fruit snacks in LEGO format....mmmmmm good.

Here's the info on this tasty little brick.

Sizes = 10 ct [little bags per box]

Ingredients
CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, APPLE PUREE CONCENTRATE, WATER, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, GELATIN, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF CITRIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, COLOR ADDED, HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL†, CARNAUBA WAX, YELLOW #5, RED #40, SODIUM CITRATE, BLUE #1. †LESS THAN 0.5g TRANS FAT PER SERVING.

Dietary Exchange Per Serving
1 Carbohydrate
Bread Exchange Per Serving
0 Grains/Breads
Kosher Status
Not Certified
Country of Origin
Distributed in USA

Cool New Video Site

2007-04-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hey LEGO fans. Did you ever want to make a cool LEGO video but don’t have LEGO Studios? Or even a video camera? Well now you can. Just head over to fliptrack.com and give them a try.

You can upload images and video to their website and add music from their huge library of music from all genres. All you really need is the digital files and few minutes online at fliptrack.com. All the music is legal to use [the artists give you their permission to do so, unlike other video upload services that merely warn you about using others copyrighted materials].

It is really easy and you can even download their program to edit your video offline as well. Once you have a completed music video you can then upload it to your website or post it on your blog [stay tuned here for our first creation]. And the best part about fliptrack.com is that it is all free. Head on over and get creative today!

CTHULEGO

2007-03-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

LEGO Batman Sneak Peek

2006-12-29T07:06:00.000-08:00

LEGO BATMAN RULES!

LEGO SYSTEMS ASKS KIDS ACROSS AMERICA TO JOIN REBUILDING EFFORT BY SENDING LEGO (r) BRICKS TO NEW ORLEANS SCHOOLS

2006-04-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

-Local Students, Children Across the Country to Imagine
and Help "Rebuild" New Orleans-

ENFIELD, CT (FEBRUARY 12, 2006) - Dig into your toy chests and pull out your LEGO bricks to help children in New Orleans imagine and rebuild for the future! LEGO Systems today issued a nationwide call to children and parents in towns across America to share their LEGO bricks with the children of New Orleans. The company will collect the bricks and make a brick-for-brick matching donation to New Orleans schools. Some of the bricks will be used to construct a model of the rebuilt city, as envisioned by local New Orleans children and kids across the country, to be donated to the city as a public work of art.

Through the LEGO Builders of Tomorrow program, children are encouraged to donate one or more of their LEGO bricks and send drawings, photos or notes describing something they think would help New Orleans become a strong city again. Each child who donates one or more of their bricks will receive a LEGO-studded rubber bracelet to recognize their contribution to the cause.

"We are thrilled to launch a program that supports one of the largest and most important rebuilding efforts in contemporary American history," said Michael McNally, senior brand relations manager, LEGO Systems. "Of the 117 public schools in New Orleans, only 15 of them are currently open. We want to inspire children and families everywhere to stay mindful of this massive undertaking, but also to contribute in a playful way to a program that provides opportunities for children in New Orleans to imagine, learn and have fun, all the while knowing their peers across the country care about their well being."

One of the groups to benefit from the LEGO brick donation is KID smART, a non-profit organization that encourages creative thinking through after-school programs held at local public schools. KID smART serves more than 1,700 students throughout New Orleans. In addition to KID smART and the schools it serves, all schools in New Orleans are invited to participate in the brick donation program.

In collaboration with New Orleans designers, city planners and redevelopment experts, a LEGO Master Builder will draw inspiration from New Orleans children, and from the ideas submitted by children with their donated bricks, to build a large replica of the rebuilt city that will then be donated to The Arts Council of New Orleans.

"We are still surveying the devastation to public art following Hurricane Katrina," said Mary Len Costa, Director of Public Art, The Arts Council of New Orleans. "We are thrilled to receive a structure made of LEGO bricks that we can display for all to see the possibility of a bright future for this great city."

LEGO bricks will be collected through August 31, 2006. For information on where to send bricks, or if you are a New Orleans school who wishes to participate in the program, go to the Be A Builder section or EMAIL LEGO for more information.

Visitors to the site will also find building inspiration, tips for parents, LEGO Playtime Podcasts on topics of creativity, imagination, children and education, as well as profiles of people who are building a better tomorrow.

# # #

About KID smART

KID smART is a nonprofit organization, created to teach positive life skills to children through the performing and visual arts. KID smART programs involve intensive, quality instruction by professional artists who have experience working with under-resourced children. Instruction is challenging and dynamic, allowing children to think in new ways, explore new mediums and investigate themselves and the world in which they live. For more information visit: www.kidsmart.org.

LEGO Dragon in 3D

2006-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Anaglyph 3D images of LEGO Dragon [requires red/blue glasses to view] see the dragon head pop out at you!

More 3-D images can be found at:
http://trek-in-3d.startrektoysbook.com/

Leggo My Eggo!

2006-04-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

LEGO Eggos. Get some and go play with your food!!!

Coupons in LEGO Magazine!

SpongeBob is Coming this Summer!

2006-03-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

Lego SpongeBob Squarepants The Krusty Krab #3825

Lego SpongeBob Squarepants Spongebob & Plankton's Adventure #3826

Lego SpongeBob Squarepants Adventures at Bikini Bottom #3827

Top 10 Strangest Lego Creations from techeblog.com

2006-03-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

It's time for our weekly Top 10 list and this week our editors bring you the "Top 10 Strangest (or Coolest…) Lego Creations". Leave us a comment with your own favorites.

[PCMag]

10. Lego iPod Case

This interesting BrixPod Classic iPod Shuffle case gives your Shuffle the appearance of a full-sized iPod made of Lego bricks.

[MacBlog]

9. Han Solo Frozen in Carbonite

Nathan Sawaya used over 10,000 Lego pieces and spent 3 months making this "Han Solo in Carbonite" masterpiece.

[NathanBrickArtist]

8. Lego Volvo XC90

Built by Lego Master Model Builders, this Volvo XC90 is the official car of Legoland California.

[car.kak.net]

7. Lego NES Case

If Nintendo came out with a Lego NES case, this would be it. Everything is 100% Lego - power/reset buttons, controller ports, LED light cover, and even the vents up top. One more picture here.

[RetroNintendo]

6. Lego Harpsichord

This Harpsichord was constructed entirely from Lego parts (over 100,000!), including keyboard, jacks, jack rack, jack rail, plectra, soundboard, bridge, hitch pins, tuning pins, wrestplank, nut, case, legs, lid, lid stick, and music stand. It has a range of 61 notes and weighs 150 lb.

[OddMusic]

5. Lego Pinhole Camera

This person took a Polaroid 95a, stripped it down, and than reassembled the camera with all Lego parts. Like a real mechanical 35mm camera, it includes a manual crank which takes 23 clicks to advance one frame.

[FoundPhotography]

4. Lego Knitting Machine

Rarely do we come accross something so interesting yet odd, take a look at this fully functional knitting machine made entirely out of Lego pieces.

[TRFJ]

3. Lego Difference Engine

One of the most imaginative Lego creations ever. Made by Andy Carroll, this difference engine is able to solve mathematical problems (2nd/3rd-order polynomials) and calculate the answers to 3 or 4 digits.

[Gizmodo]

2. Lego Air Conditioner

Behold, a functional Lego replica of Carrier's latest air conditioner, complete with valves, compressor, and working fan.

[Make]

1. Lego Pinball Machine

Created by Lego fanatics Gerrit Bronsveld and Martijn Boogaarts of the Netherlands, this fully functional pinball machine was made using over 20,000 of these colorful blocks. The Lego Pinball Machine features an operational coin slot, rotation bumpers, auto kickback, 5-digit mechanical display (for points), 13 RCX Mindstorms computers, and even a ramp.

[PinballNews]

Honorable Mention - Lego gMac 475

If you liked the Lego PC, check out this Lego gMac 475 (constructed from a Macintosh LC 475 ), an oldie but goodie. (Thanks, Jeff)

Honorable Mention - Lego Brick USB Drive

Lego blocks can be used to build just about anything these days, including this USB drive. Its even got clear backing so you can view the innards. Instructions on how to build your own can be found here.

[Brickshelf]

Let Go of my LEGO...Eggo Both!

2006-03-21T14:04:00.000-08:00

LEGO has teamed up with Eggo to make food you can placy with. Add syrup and this makes for some sticky fingers that's for sure!

There's a coupon in your latest LEGO magazine and they are just as good as the standard Eggo only much more fun.

Batman LEGO Sets

2006-03-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

Look slike Lego.com has the sets available now. While I have not found them at retail stores as of yet. [bummer] Guess I will break down and buy them from Lego Shop at Home. [wish they had free shipping though]

LEGO-ish Stress Bricks

2006-03-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

Companies love to promote themselves by giving away useless stuff. Squeezy stress balls and shaped items are among the best things they give.

Found these stress bricks on an imprint site....now to find a company to slap their logo on them and sell or give me a bunch! Hey BrickLink.com here's a promotional item made for you!

They look just like your standard bricks [and come in the regular LEGO bold colors too] but these are over sized and squishy! They do stack up and stay together too.

LEGO Spotted at Body Worlds....

2006-02-21T23:58:00.000-08:00

Perhaps the last place I expected to see any LEGO displays. Recenlty went to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA to see the Body Worlds exhibit [go see it if you have a chance].

http://www.fi.edu/bodyworlds/index.html

On the way out I turned around and saw the familiar site of LEGO went over and it was a little LEGO-delphia. Pretty cool too.

New Mindstorms on the way

2006-02-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

WIRED magainze reports that the LEGO mindstorms has had a complete overhaul and we should see new sets this summer!

These will be more like the technic sets than the brick based sets before it.

The new NXT sets can be seen here:
http://mindstorms.lego.com/

Get ready for robots!

BATMAN LEGO!

2006-02-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

They are on the way. Just read in the latest edition of ToyFare magazine that LEGO has gotten the license for DC's Batman and there will be lots of sets coming this spring.

I cannot wait!

More info as I find it!

Toys For Tots

2005-12-23T09:06:00.000-08:00

Dropped off about 4 different sets of LEGO from the new series EXO FORCE at my local Toys for Tots drop off point today. Be sure and donate some LEGO yourself. If no tthis year buy sets on sale and donate the next year!!!!

Star Trek LEGO Film

2005-12-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a mini LEGO film featuring Star Trek mini-figs.

http://lennon.csufresno.edu/~jmarkiewitz/cnd.html

Check out the site too while you are there plenty of other LEGO related films and images.

Workshop: Mindstorm Robolab 03/19/06

2005-10-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Reading Public Museum in Reading, PA to have Mindstroms Workshop!

Participants in the Mindstorm Robolab workshop will have the opportunity to work with LEGO Mindstorms robotics equipment used in Technology Education programs to teach robotics and system control technology. Students will be constructing, programming, and testing robots that are created using LEGO building materials and the RCX mini computer brick as the control unit for all robotic functions. The workshop will be hands-on with a variety of design challenges that will provide an excellent exposure to technology, problem solving, computer programming and cooperative learning activities used in Technology Education programs.

Instructor is Matthew Cullen a Technology Education Teacher at Kutztown Area Middle School.

Age is 11-14 (high school students welcome to participate and will be able to complete enhancement activities to enrich the experience). Limit is 18 students. Students will work in teams of two. $15 members, $25.00 non-members. Pre-registration is required by calling 610.371.5850 ext. 235.

Mindstorm Robolab workshop dates are: Feb. 26th at 9am or 1pm; March 19th at 9am or 1pm; and May 14th at 9am or 1pm. (All these dates and times are the same workshop - please indicate which date and time when calling to register.)9am OR 1pm

More info: http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org Wish they had this for adults too!

Finished The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide

2005-10-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading 'The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide' and I have to say this is a really great book for anyone looking to get into LEGO buuilding beyond the standard sets.

It gives to terminology so you don't feel stupid when you head out on the net to find others interested in the same hobby.

This is certainly a great gift idea for any young person or adult looking to expand their enjoyment of LEGO!

LEGO Celebrates 50th!

2005-09-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

We see LEGO is celebrating! First up you can get GOLD bricks [yes you can become a gold bricker any time you like!] when you make a $50 purchase from LEGO shop @ home. Or by buying the 50th Anniversary tubs.

Got mine!

Also they have teamed up with Quaker to bring some exciting LEGO promotions our way!

You can get a $5 rebate. Win a tour of LEGO in Denmark!!! Save codes and get FREE LEGO sets from LIFE cereal. Head over to the grocery store before it is too late!

LEGO even has a 50th Anniversary website...

http://www.lego50th.com

Totally missed the Hostess/Twinkie promotion to with cool prizes like a trip to LEGOLAND CA!!!

Recommended Book: The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide

2005-09-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide

UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE BASICS – AND NOT-SO-BASICS
OF BUILDING WITH LEGO® BRICKS

Longtime hobbyist lays firm foundation for building with LEGO elements

The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide by Allan Bedford

Bridging the gap between instructions included with LEGO sets and the unlimited world of freestyle LEGO building, The Unofficial LEGO® Builder’s Guide (No Starch Press, September ’05) is a nuts-and-bolts approach to making original models from those famous plastic bricks. Written by Allan Bedford, a lifelong LEGO fan whose most ambitious model to date is a 5,000-piece replica of Toronto’s famed CN Tower, this new title draws together core techniques, principles and reference information.

Focusing on building actual models with real bricks, The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide includes complete instructions for building several models but also encourages readers to use their imaginations to create their own fantastic designs. While the book incorporates basic engineering and architecture principles, its tone is friendly, light-hearted and geared toward helping readers of all ages get the most fun out of the popular pastime.

Inside The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide, readers will learn:
· The best ways to connect bricks and how best to use those patterns
· Tricks for calculating and building to scale
· How to think and build in 3-D
· Step-by-step plans to create a train station on the scale of LEGO people (a.k.a., “minifigs”)
· How to build spheres, jumbo-sized LEGO bricks and micro-scaled models
· An end-to-end design exercise for creating a mini space shuttle
· Tips for sorting and storing LEGO pieces

The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide also includes the “Brickopedia,” a visual guide to nearly 300 of the most useful and reusable elements of the LEGO system, with historical notes, common uses, part numbers, and the year each piece first appeared in a LEGO set.

“Although age-old, LEGO building seems to be more popular than ever,” said Bill Pollock, founder of No Starch Press. “Allan’s book takes the LEGO building hobby seriously and does a great job of spelling out the fundamentals so that anyone can become a master builder.”

The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide will appeal both to children who are ready for more ambitious projects and adults who are rediscovering the joy of building with LEGO elements – as their own hobby or one to share with their kids.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Allan Bedford is an active member of the online LEGO community, having contributed ideas and discussions for several years. He works as a business analyst by day and spends his spare time cycling, designing board games and, of course, building with LEGO bricks.

The Unofficial LEGO® Builder's Guide by Allan Bedford
September 2005, 376 pp., $24.95, ISBN 1-59327-054-2
Available at fine bookstores everywhere, from www.oreilly.com/nostarch, or directly from No Starch Press (http://www.nostarch.com/, orders@nostarch.com, 800.420.7240).

ABOUT NO STARCH PRESS: Founded in 1994, No Starch Press is one of the few remaining independent computer book publishers. We publish the finest in geek entertainment — unique books on technology, with a focus on Open Source, security, hacking, programming, and alternative operating systems. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our books tackle topics that people care about. See http://www.nostarch.com/ for more. (And by the way, most No Starch Press books use RepKover, a lay-flat binding that won’t snap shut. Hungry geeks love it.)

Download a sample chapter now chapter.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593270542/giftshthrougtheb
Buy The Unofficial LEGO Builder’s Guide
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1593270542/giftshthrougtheb @ Amazon.com

Lost in Space Robot in LEGO

2004-03-13T14:14:00.000-08:00

After buying tons of bricks on BrickLink.com I finally have enough to make my own LIS B9 Robot out of LEGO pieces!

Using the LDRAW software I made the model on the PC first [following someone elses previous model closely]. Then got to build it completely now that my bricks have arrived.

http://www.whataslacker.com/lego/lego_lost_in_space_robot.htm

Star Trek Enterprise LEGO Minifigs

2004-01-29T14:17:00.000-08:00

Finally, got around to making the crew of the Enterprise....I know the show may not even be on next year so why bother.

Well I have all the others so why not?

http://www.whataslacker.com/lego/star_trek_enterprise.htm

Custom Crypto LEGO sets

2003-11-27T14:12:00.000-08:00

I just made some crypto-LEGO sets...LEGO loc ness monster, bigfoot and yeti!

http://www.whataslacker.com/lego/cryptolego.htm

Spider-man LEGO

2002-04-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

Spider-man first came into LEGO for the first Spidey film. LEGO released two Studios sets with Spider-man and Green Goblin....more to come!

http://www.toymania.com/news/messages/1538.shtml

Harry Potter Hits the LEGO Scene

2001-12-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter comes into LEGO for [we will never be the same]

List of Harry Potter LEGO sets can be found here:

http://www.harrypotterfanzone.com/?ID=media/lego

More Custom LEGO Minifigs

2001-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just added ALIEN vs PREDATOR to my custom minfigure line up!

http://www.whataslacker.com/lego/

Star Wars LEGO Sets Rock!

1999-12-31T12:37:00.000-08:00

I have been a fan of LEGO since I was but a kid. Never had anything but the basic sets of bricks but I have loved them just the same. Then I went away from LEGO for a very long time....missing all the cool space and scifi sets in the 80's / 90's. Then came the Star Wars sets and I was sucked back into my passions for LEGO.

These sets ROCK!

Complete list of Star Wars LEGO sets at:
http://www.rebelscum.com/lego.asp

Custom LEGO Minifigs

1999-06-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

Now that I am playing with LEGO again, I set about making my own LEGO minifigs. I really wanted more scifi licensed figures but LEGO had STAR WARS now and will not dare to offend the great LUCAS by getting other genre licenses.

So here are a few I wanted....

STAR TREK [all series]
DOCTOR WHO
BUFFY
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
XENA [still working on this]
TRON [still working on this]
FARSCAPE
INDIAN JONES
UNIVERSAL MONSTERS

MORE TO COME....

Check them out at:
http://www.whataslacker.com/lego/