The VLC’s “Dean Lovell Outstanding MOC” Winner for 2021!

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Sean Jackson

This years winner of the Dean Lovell Award for the Outstanding MOC of 2021 was won by John N for his Vancouver Fireboat #2 build

The Dean Lovell Award honours a great builder of the VLC who left our lives too soon. As such, the VLC has kept his memory alive by recognizing the amazing builds that our members do in Dean’s honour. All MOCs (My Own Creations) built in 2021 (or finished) qualify and are voted on amongst by the VLC membership at our AGM.
Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

Dean Lovell Outstanding Moc Nominees

Posted on May 30, 2022 by Sean Jackson

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.

This years nominees are:

Vancouver Fireboat #2 by John N

Hardware Store by Andrew D.

Translink Lego New Flyer XE40. 8 wide by Will F.

Atomic Ranch by Paul H.

Golden Dragon Restaurant by Allan C.

Jewelry Store and Sweet Shoppe by John and Ayleen

Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

Hello there!

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Sean Jackson

Hello VLC Readers!

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!

Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

VLC members donate LEGO to the Surrey Christmas Bureau

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Will Fong

It’s the time of year where the VLC donates LEGO to the Surrey Christmas Bureau. Led by Andrew Delbaere @fraservalleybricks, $3737 of LEGO and an additional $360 in cash donations was donated this year. This is more than double last year’s $1700 total donations. For more on this, follow the link to the Surrey Now article below:
https://www.surreynowleader.com/community/lego-mountain-donated-to-surrey-christmas-bureau-by-members-of-local-club/?fbclid=IwAR1NBx59kr3ertCrng1CI6INiobYZXBK_sL4qLvoN8PErWiWYAcpP1uw7Jw

Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

Microscale Vignette Builds from June Meeting

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Will Fong

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.

Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

VLC Member Neil Snowball wins Bricks by the Bay “Best in Show”

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Will Fong

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.


Click the video below to see how it operates.

Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

Paul Hetherington on Building Lego During the Pandemic

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Will Fong
Atomic Ranch

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.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-simi-sara-show/golfing-with-the-accused-getting-scared-straight-p?t=30m30s

Posted in Front Page News | Leave a comment

MILS Part 3: Brickcan Presentation

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Will Fong

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




Posted in Front Page News | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Part 2: Time To Spruce Up Those MILS Plates!

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Val Dmitrieff

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.

Lego-Trees-1Download
Posted in Front Page News | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How to level up your city! (With MILS)

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Val Dmitrieff

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.

Check out Neil’s presentation: Moving to MILS

Posted in Front Page News | Tagged , | Leave a comment