A nice MOC from Nick roth with this scene where Gandalf arrives by cart in Hobbiton, a village where Bilbo, Frodo and Samwise reside ....

This MOC is remarkable for the design and density of the vegetation and the design of the tree largely inspired by the work of Derfel cadarn. The minifigs presented are arbitrary but the scene resumes well the magical side of that of the film, where the calm and the greenery contrast with the events which will follow ...

To see more about this MOC, it's on the flickr gallery de Nick roth that it happens.

I have often criticized Lego cuusoo for the ambient disorder which reigns there and for the lack of moderation of the entries which are deposited there by AFOLs in search of various and varied demands.

I came across despite everything an initiative which seems interesting to me and proposed by napachon. It concerns the creation of new pieces to meet certain very specific uses, in particular with regard to the creation in SNOT (Stud Not On Top), which has become fashionable in recent years. Criticized by some, SNOT brings LEGO constructions closer to the world of the model. This technique allows a more consistent finish of some models and allows the creation of truly flat surfaces when the reproduction of certain environments requires it.

LEGO purists, a little nostalgic for a time when pieces were not as numerous in the manufacturer's range, often remain very attached to the presence of studs on their models, as a claim of belonging to a universe of pieces designed to fit together, and formalized by the presence of these growths on the surface of the models.

But today, the imagination of MOCeurs goes further and further into the realism of reproduction and new pieces allow ever more successful construction and finishing techniques. SNOT makes it possible to finalize these creations in a visually very homogeneous way. With this technique the MOCeurs no longer seek to create with LEGO, but to create with LEGO to obtain an object that becomes a model or a reproduction and whose realism is taken to the extreme.

Napachon presents some ideas for parts that could improve the use of SNOT with for example a part with studs on both sides. It also presents some other ideas for parts that would allow a more realistic design and less constraining in terms of shape and final thickness with the wings of planes as an example.

I am not a talented MOCeur, nor a genius designer. But I think the idea developed in this Cuusoo project deserves to be taken into account and debated. LEGO also regularly offers new parts to meet specific construction needs. If an AFOL does the same, it deserves to be considered.

Do not hesitate to post your comments on the subject.

Definitely, the co-competition organized on Eurobricks will have had the merit of awakening the MOCeurs and we are still entitled to a very very high class entrance with this reconstruction similar to that seen in the MOC Birth of Joker by lisqr I was telling you about here.

Once again we witness the fall of Red Hood, future Joker, into a vat of toxic waste at the factory. Axis Chemicals also known as Ace Chemical Processing Inc.. in the comic book version, under the gaze of Batman, who does not really make an effort to hold him back ...

In addition to the meticulous reconstruction of the industrial environment of the premises, we will note a particularly successful lighting on this MOC. The staging of the fall is effective, I really like the effect of the side rails which give way under the weight of Red Hood.

To see more, visit the flickr gallery de SI-MOCs.

Admit that looking at this image you say to yourself that finally a license Lego lord of the rings, it could force you to spend a few euros to feed your collection of minifigs .....

I was doing my customs tour (I still fell in love with some of Christo's achievements, but I'm saving it for Brick Heroes) and was looking for some quality LOTR themed minifigs.
When I say quality, by that I mean resembling minifigs designed for this theme, and not more or less happy assemblages of Castle or Kingdoms pieces without real similarity to the personage embodied.

My only credible find is on eBay, with the store of Green Pea Toys which offers some customs rather well done (a priori) and in any case quite easily identifiable.
Above: A Gimli with a custom helmet and armor, the rest being official LEGO parts, a Witch King of Angmar with a helmet / head and custom weapons, and a Saruman designed from official parts and equipped with a custom stick.

The rates are okay, if I compare with what I'm paying for Marvel or Star Wars customs and the seller seems reliable. I might try one or two minifigs to see the result. I'll let you know.

If you have already bought from this merchant, leave me your impressions in the comments, it is always very interesting to have other opinions.

I am sure that MED Will be mad at me for the title, and that his intention was not to stage Thor on Hoth but on Jotunheim, frozen planet and territory of the ice giants. His punitive expedition in these countries will also earn him to be banished from Asgard and to meet Natalie Portman on Midgard (The Earth) ...

Once again, MED gives us a staged custom. His minifigure of Thor, that I presented to you in September, has been improved with a nice decal and it is put in situation in a well thought out vignette where the Wampa fits rather well. 

To see more, it's on the flickr gallery de MED that it happens.

For those who haven't seen the movie, the Blu-ray and DVD are for sale on Amazon. Ultra-fans can even afford a collector's version, containing the Blu-ray, DVD and a beautiful limited edition headphones ....