Every year the VLC nominates the builds of our members to receive the Dean Lovell award for an outstanding MOC created in the previous year. This award recognizes a great VLC builder who passed many years ago and was created to honour his memory.
Check back next month when the winner is revealed.
I’m Sean, our new publicist, what does that mean you ask?
It means that going forward we’re going to be a lot more active here showcasing what is happening within the VLC, our previous shows, upcoming events, behind the scenes of a Registered LEGO® User Group, and showcasing the work of our members.
You can also follow us at the VLC Instagram page for some fun behind the scenes, amazing builds, and more!
From the VLC’s June meeting, the month’s meeting contest was to build something that is smaller than minifig scale. Included in the gallery; a seaside village from Heidi; Godzilla attack from Joanne; LACMA from Jayleen; a fighter jet, microscale MILS roads, and bridges over the River Tyne from Neil, and a red rocket by Allan. Thanks to everyone who participated, there were some really great builds from everyone who took part.
Neil’s Great Ball Contraption really is the greatest. Neil’s “The Carrot Patch” won the Best of Show Award at San Francisco’s Bricks by the Bay 2021 in June.
Fellow club member, Paul Hetherington, talks with Raji Sohal on CKNW’s Mornings with Simi about building Lego, the VLC, and what he’s building during the hiatus of gatherings.
In part 3 of our series on MILS, we take a look at Neil’s slides from his talk at the May 2021 Brickcan.
The first section of Neil’s presentation goes over specifications of the new Lego road plates, as well as how to possibly integrate them into your MILS module. Brick-Built Roads Build Along
In the second section, a step-by-step instructional on how to build two road types; asphalt, and blockwork. Both included types include instructions for a gutter, and edge line variant. Brick-Built Roads Building Instructions
In the second talk of our ongoing MILS series, former VLC president Allan Corbeil, shares with us the creativity of brick built trees. In his talk, Allan breaks down the different build techniques he has mastered in creating his award winning tree designs.
Though if you were to ask him he would humbly tell you the brick built tree designs were originally in creation with David Guedes, who adapted a design by Micah Beideman.
Allan is well known in the VLC not only for his brick built trees but his breathtaking landscape designs. In his project titled: “Going West” you can see the differences he created by using different variations of tree heights, colours and elements.
By using a wide variety in textures and colours, Allan was able to bring out a more complete and realistic take in his storytelling. Subtle changes in element colours to the fullness of the trees added a new level of depth and complexity to his design.
For those of you that have been following along so far in our MILS journey, I have left a link below to the wonderful PDF Allan put together on how you can create trees to add a new level of dimension to your landscapes.
Whether we have just received our first set of bricks as young children, or have fallen in love with the crisp ABS as adults, building cities just comes naturally. Creating tall towers, babbling brooks, and pothole free road ways, are just so rewarding. Even more rewarding is getting the oppotunity to show it all off!
Have you ever thought about adding your city creations into a larger city layout for a display or event? What happens when you are integrating and collaberating with other people? How do you know what specs are going to work for all builders involved? The MILS or Modular Integrated Landscaping System may be the answer you are looking for!
In early January, AFOLs from around the world joined virtually for BricksLA,an online LEGO ANE fan convention based in Los Angeles. At the event, VLC member Neil Snowball gave a presentation on the VLC’s efforts to move towards the use of the MILS system for the club’s larger collaborative displays. During his presentation, he outlined the basics of the MILS system, and provided examples of build techniques and integration ideas.
As MOC builders, we all from time to time have grand ideas of what we want our projects to look like. We spend countless hours pouring over brick styles, colour palettes, and designs. But what do you do when the pieces don’t quite fit your design? Have you ever considered using non-brick LEGO elements in your MOCs?
In an article written by William Fong, Will discuses all the barely legal and dubious LEGO connections you may not have thought of using! Check out the article link below for some clever tips and tricks to create unique angles and connection points.
Please note that most of the LUG activity on our site takes place in the Forums. Members and the wider AFOL public are always talking about everything to do with LEGO®, so feel free to check it out.
We are NOT to be confused with The LEGO® Group of companies. We do NOT represent them in any manner, nor do they endorse, sponsor or authorize the VLC. We are simply enthusiasts, builders, hobbyists and consumers of the many wonderful things that The LEGO® Group produces.
