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LEGO Old Style Diner with Arcade & more!

by Thita (admin) on July 12, 2017

I recently ran across a really nice project on LEGO Ideas that I thought to share with you. The LEGO Old Diner with Arcade by LEGO fan Astronaut Avila already got over 2K supporters since it was uploaded to LEGO Ideas a month ago. Even if you don’t care for diners, there are so many interesting details and building techniques used here, that it’s worth checking out the project. And of course, if you do decide to support it with your vote, there is a chance it may become an official LEGO set. 🙂

What I found most striking on the outside of the Old Diner is the lettering done with the new type of curved tile pieces in translucent colors. We talked about lettering with these tiles just the other day (see: Lettering with LEGO Using New Tile Shapes), and this project is a perfect example of how useful these new tiles are.

The bonus 6-stud-wide old sports car that comes with the Old Diner also looks great, with a similar size and styling as the LEGO Speed Champions vehicles.

Going inside the diner, there is so much to see! There are milkshakes, hotdogs and candy machines for hungry customers. And there are plenty of games for entertainment, including air hockey, a dance game, a claw machine, and arcade machines. A jukebox provides music while everyone is having a good time.

I’m particularly impressed by the ingenious construction of the milkshake machine, taking advantage of some new LEGO elements. All the indoor and outdoor furniture pieces are really nicely done as well.

Speaking of furniture, also notice the tasteful color combinations. The dark-blue, sand-blue, and white checkered floor tiling, combined with the orange-holstered furniture, and light-nougat tables, countertops, and flooring in the arcade area. These are not common LEGO colors, especially all in one LEGO set, but here they come together beautifully.

If you are working on furnishing your own LEGO restaurant, arcade, or similar establishment, this diner is full of great examples that you can use for inspiration. If you would like to see more details and support the project, you can check it out on LEGO Ideas, and I also encourage you to take a look at Astronaut Avila’s other LEGO models both on LEGO Ideas and on flickr, because they are all really excellent. And you can also browse the currently available LEGO Ideas sets originally submitted by LEGO fans under the LEGO Ideas section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Old Diner with Arcade? Are there any specific details that you really like? Did you notice some unusual building techniques that you would like to use in your own LEGO models? Would you like this project to become an official LEGO set? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉

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LEGO convention Brick-by-the-Bay 2017

by Thita (admin) on July 11, 2017

in Community News

Participating in LEGO conventions is a great way to experience the wonderful LEGO creations teen and adult LEGO fans are building, and to interact with others in the hobby. There are a number of very large LEGO conventions around North America, including BrickCon in Seattle, the BrickFair events held on the East Coast, and BrickWorld in Chicago. The next upcoming event is Bricks-by-the-Bay held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California, at the beginning of August. This is one of the largest LEGO conventions in the Western U.S., and the premier annual display of LEGO brick creations in Northern California. If you are planning to be in California at that time, make sure you don’t miss it! You can find the full press-release with all the details below. 🙂

The Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara will once again be the site of Bricks-by-the-Bay, the largest annual gathering of LEGO enthusiasts in Northern California and one of the largest LEGO fan conventions in the country. The convention will run from August 3rd through August 6th, with a Public Exhibition to be held on the last day of the convention on Sunday, August 6th.

This eighth annual convention will feature over 33,000 square feet of convention hall space with original LEGO artwork, models, and machines, many built on an awe-inspiring scale. Bricks-by-the-Bay is a four-day long celebration of all things LEGO, where hobbyists, artists, fans, and enthusiasts come together to learn, share and play.

Convention attendees bring their wonderful LEGO brick creations to display. Attendees gather for brick building seminars, LEGO themed fun and games, and to hear from luminaries and ambassadors of LEGO brick building. On the last day of the convention, the public is invited to attend and see all the attendee built LEGO exhibits.

“Bricks-by-the-Bay continues to thrive and has become an annual ‘must do’ for many families from the Bay Area and beyond, whether they attend the multi-day convention or just come to see the amazing displays on a public day,” says Bricks-by-the-Bay spokesperson Patty Sherin.

Bricks-by-the-Bay is proud to announce its newly renovated convention website at BricksbytheBay.com. The website features a program of convention events and activities as well as online registration for convention attendees. Tickets to the Public Exhibition will also be available for purchase online. Admission to the Public Exhibition also grants entry to Bricks-by-the-Bay’s vendor hall full of LEGO products and unique LEGO related accessories for sale.

Bricks-by-the-Bay expects attendees from all around the country and the world who will be showcasing all manner of cool and exciting LEGO creations. The 2017 Bricks-by-the-Bay convention theme is California Dreamin’. Whether it is brick-built models of famous California landmarks or other inspired builds that invoke the spirit and history of the Golden State, the attendees’ creations are sure to inspire.

If you are a dedicated LEGO fan, I highly recommend going on convention days, as there will be all kinds of interesting workshops, games, presentations and more that you can participate in. It is a great way to meet other LEGO fans, challenge your building skills, and learn many new things related to the hobby. As it is mentioned in the press-release above, the convention days are August 3-5. You can read the full schedule, where to stay (if you are from out of town), ticket prices and options, what to do if you would like to display your own LEGO creations, and a lot more information at BricksbytheBay.com.

And if you just want to go on the public day, you can visit Bricks-by-the-Bay on Sunday, August 6, from 10 AM until 4 PM. Guests can view the hundreds of original LEGO creations on display from a variety of themes, and meet the creators. There will also be vendors who sell LEGO sets, custom items, LEGO-related gifts and more. All ages are welcome. General admission for the public day is $20 per person at the door. Early bird and VIP rates are also available. Learn more at BricksbytheBay.com.

I know several of our readers visit Bricks-by-the-Bay and other LEGO conventions every year, so if you would like to share your own experiences and some tips and tricks that can be helpful to first-timers, feel free to add them at the comment section below. And if you have any questions, comments, concerns, you can add those as well. 😉

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LEGO Old Style Diner with Arcade & more!

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