As many of our regular readers are aware, come December each year, we here at TBB open up all the LEGO advent calendars, showing off each day’s builds along with some choice witticisms from the staff. Well, of course we’re still doing that this year, but we’ve also decided to add on an additional, TBB-exclusive advent event this year. From December 1st to the 24th, we’ll be posting the instructions for 1/24th of a custom Christmas model, designed by me. Has your Yuletide interest been piqued? Read on to find out more! Now I’m sure you’re wondering how you can participate, especially when there’s no set to run out and pick up. Instead, here’s the full parts list for all 24 days, giving you two weeks to rifle through your collection, LEGO store Pick-a-Brick walls, or your favorite online LEGO part reseller for all the required bits. And if you’re having...

Journey back in time to Edo-era Japan with this spellbinding “Pagoda by the Lake” by felix-workshop. The part that looms largest, of course, is the majestic multi-tiered temple, with its striking red coloring and the artful curves of its pagoda roofs (inspired by the real-life Seiganto-ji temple and nearby falls). Such roofing has always been a challenge to achieve with standard LEGO bricks, at least until 21060 Himeji Castle and 10315 Tranquil Garden gave us a new upturned roof piece. However, given the minifig scale, felix-workshop opts for a more complicated—and more rewarding—technique to achieve the slopes of the roof, stacking and curving rows of rounded plates. Don’t let the artistry on display distract you from all that’s going on, however—can you spot fishermen fishing, merchants traveling, assassins planning their attack, a Buddhist monk, and a happy couple drinking tea? The post Fall in love with this beatiful autumnal temple and...

We know what dinosaurs are these days. Big, reptilian-avian creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago, doing cool dinosaur things. But what would early humankind have made of fossils, had they found them a mere 10,000 years ago? This is the question that photomark6 is pondering. It’s a superbly staged photograph! The eye is drawn to the T-Rex fossil around which the scene revolves. But the bright colours of the minifigures make us focus on the real story here. What are they feeling? Wonder about this new discovery? Fear, that it might break out of the ice and devour them? Or cold, from their outfits that don’t look particularly well-suited to the ice and snow? (I know which one I’d be feeling the most!) The post Paleolithic paleontology beneath the LEGO ice appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Theo Spencer

While Star Wars fans eagerly await more reveals of the next season of Andor, over in the Factions role-play community, LEGO builders are busy adding new stories and ships to that galaxy far, far away. Simulterious introduces the Santana light freighter, a ship built for speedy hauls and avoiding Imperials. Based on concept art from the artist Spacegoose,  the Santana features smooth teal curves and four impressive ion turbine engines. Simulterious incorporates chain links for a ring of greebly texture, a technique also used in their brilliant take on the classic B-Wing Starfighter.   The post Santana starship is a smooth addition to the Star Wars fan canon appeared first on The Brothers Brick. Original linkOriginal author: Jake Forbes

If you’ve flown on an airplane, have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually be your luggage? Where would you go in the airport? What would you see? How would you even get to the plane? Most importantly, as someone who travels with LEGO models, how roughly will you be handled along the way? That’s the main question I hope to answer today, as well as exploring the risks your luggage faces and how to pack and prepare for them—all so that your beautiful LEGO MOCs don’t crumble on the way to your next big event. Baggage Handling system in Seattle. I’ve already talked about how to properly pack MOCs for air travel, but the type of luggage you use makes a big difference. The sad reality of it is that airports and airlines are not designed to handle your suitcase delicately. Obviously, most people who handle your...