LEGO Ideas announces sets with a Bang

That’s right boys and girls, Alatariel and GlenBricker’s Big Bang Theory will be one of LEGO Ideas new sets. It will be interesting to see what’s in the final set. I’m not an avid fan of Big Bang Theory, but I do watch an episode now and then. I’m not sure if I would actually buy the set, I’ll wait till I see what it will really look like before I decide.

Now on the other hand, the LEGO Birds set designed by DeTomaso, I’m definitely interested in. The prototype models look awesome, I’m hoping that the end result will be as good. I still haven’t picked up the Back to the Future set because I don’t like the design of the car. As long as they don’t mess with the design too much, I would love to add the birds set to my collection.

Here’s the announcement video

You can read the full announcement on the LEGO Ideas Blog

So what do you think? Will you be buying either of these sets?

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Kaiser Permanente Model

In September I was asked by Kaiser Permanente to create a replica of their new hospital being built here in San Diego. Now as the building is still not built, all they had to give me was rendered images of what it will eventually look like.

This is not the first time I’ve built a hospital, in 2010 I built a replica of the Critical Care Unit for Scripps Encinitas Hospital also from rendered images, although I was also able to get the blueprints in that case. In fact it is still on display in their lobby to this day.

The tricky thing with this model was that they wanted it fast — in two weeks fast. Now generally I don’t take on a commission when there is that tight of a deadline, but as they only wanted the model to be 2 feet long, and I had the parts needed on hand, I was able to say yes.

Most of the building was a standard multi-level building, mostly square with lots of windows. Except for one thing — the corner of the building. It was a wavy curve. Aesthetically pleasing but not all that easy to replicate in LEGO.

It took me a little bit of time to figure out exactly how I was going to do it. At first I tried hinges, but the curve wasn’t coming out right, so I had to try a different tactic.

Now like I said, it was lucky that I had enough of all the parts on hand, I didn’t really have time to order the 2000 1×2 trans light blue tiles that I ended up using on this model.

And to ensure that the curvy wall was securely attached, I did some serious S.N.O.T. (Studs not on top).

Another small detail that I wanted to look its best was the windows with the trans blue stripes on the left hand side of the back of the model

I built the windows like this so that they would look clear through, and also attach to the rows above and below them.

As they wanted some landscaping to complete the model, I created some mini trees

They are mostly made with 2×2 round green plates and 1×1 brown cones. It was a fun little challenge to come up with these and create several different versions.

I’m pretty happy with the end result over all. 😀

The model took about 60 hours overall. Its 2 feet long, 9 inches wide and about a foot tall.

LEGO Shirt at Target

A couple of days ago I went to Target and found some LEGO clothing. The first thing I found was this Target exclusive storage tub and shirt.

Unfortunately the shirt only comes in child medium, so even I can’t fit in it 😦

But, if you’ve got a little tike, or you’re a completest when it comes to collecting, then you just might want to pick this up.

I really wish that the had made the shirt in larger sizes, its pretty cool. On the front it has the classic LEGO logo

And on the back the current LEGO logo. If you notice, the shirt is really wrinkled, that’s because it comes rolled up in the container.

The container itself isn’t anything special, the white 2×4 brick in front of it is to give you an idea of size.

I have one of the 2×2 black storage bricks, but this 1×1 round brick isn’t all that exciting. It may look cool, but its not all that practical. I don’t use much of the official LEGO storage tubs, finding Sterlite drawers much more useful and stackable. 😉

The other thing I found at Target I can wear, it comes in kids sizes ranging from XS to XL. As I’m really short at just 4 ft 10 inches, I can usually wear XL so I have several kid sized LEGO shirts that a taller person couldn’t wear. My friend Paul said he’s a little jealous. 😀

Of the two, I’m happy I can wear this more than the yellow shirt. Having an Emmet jacket is pretty cool.

And the back bears the Piece of Resistance naturally

Quality wise, the jacket isn’t all that well made, its made to be cute, not long lasting. I have a black Ninjago jacket that has much higher quality sweatshirt material. Even so, when I found out that it existed, I just had to have it. I just wish they made a WyldStyle jacket — LEGO epic fail yet again.

Both were $18.99, although I got lucky and the jacket happened to be on sale. The jacket might be on its way out, as it looks like its been out for a while, but the orange storage brick is part of the Holiday products, it wasn’t even out on the floor when I went to the store. Its actually cheaper online at $15.99, but I wanted to see it before I bought it. You can also buy the jacket online.

So, if you’re at Target, the jacket was in the Boy’s clothing area, and I’m not sure exactly where the orange tub will be, probably with the Christmas stuff, but you might have to ask. Happy hunting!