ED-209 Posted December 1, 2017 (edited) I've been offline for ages, and thought what better way to break my hiatus than with 24 consecutive days of posting?! And it's December 1st! Well, at least here in Australia it is. My kids have got their official Lego Advent Calendars, but what's a castle fan to do? Since there's been no castle theme for years I decided to make my own Advent Calendar. And because I'm such a shameless Viking enthusiast, it's going to be a Viking one! Now much like the 2008 "Castle" and 2010 "Kingdoms" Advent Calendars (sets 7979 and 7952), mine isn't terribly Christmassy. They were really just an excuse to get a bunch of minifigs and minibuilds, and that's perfectly fine with me! Mine will just fit in with the ongoing efforts towards my Viking Village display. So without further ado, let's kick things off with: DAY 1 - Berserker Perhaps a bit of an angry start to the season, or maybe he's just stressed about spending the holidays with the in-laws? DAY 2 - Woodchopping Ah, now the Berserker has something to do with his axes! *CHOP CHOP* DAY 3 - Farm boy This young lad has the eggcellent job of collecting eggs! Ah, I crack myself up... no more silly yolks please... Day 4 - Toy boat When he's not working on the farm, the young lad enjoys playing with his toy boat. Day 5 - Old woodcarver An old villager carves wooden figures - maybe statues of the Norse gods? Day 6 - Campfire A simple build technique that's been done before, but now our hungry woodcarver can cook himself up a tasty meal! Day 7 - Blacksmith I think it's fair to say that no Lego Castle line is complete without a blacksmith! Day 8 - Anvil and grindstone Because the smith needs somewhere to work his elemental magic, doesn't he? Day 9 - Maiden Some traditional Scandinavian hospitality as this young maiden welcomes visitors to the village with some delicious freshly baked bread! Day 10 - Barrel o' mead The hospitality doesn't stop at bread! Skål! Day 11 - Pig farmer Home again, home again, jiggety-jig! Day 12 - Haystack A very, very simple build today - just three bricks! But you can stick the underside of a brick onto the end of the pitchfork. So at least it gives yesterday's farmer something to do besides chase that pig around all day! Day 13 - Apiary Hooray, more work for the farmer to do! A couple of beehives (which I made before the new beehive element was unveiled!) Day 14 - Huscarl Personal retainer and bodyguard to the Jarl, he takes his work very seriously. Day 15 - Banner stand Only five parts in this simple build, but I think it looks pretty cute. Plus it gives the huscarl something to stand next to so he can feel important! Day 16 - Cheese table More hospitality and winter feasting with a table full of interesting chesses. Day 17 - Noblewoman One of my custom prints, the noblewoman carries the household keys on her belt. Her cat makes sure the cheese table remains rat-free! Day 18 - Runestone A stone raised as a marker, inscribed with pictures and runes telling of great deeds and the like. If this were a real official Lego set, I'd like to see the surfaces of sloped bricks printed with the inscription! Day 19 - Sacred tree A bit small to be a mighty oak tree, but nevertheless it's part of a sacred grove in the forest outside our viking village. Some wild herbs and a mushroom grow in its shade. Day 20 - Sage And who worships in the sacred grove? Who collects the wild medicinal herbs? The village sage does! Day 21 - Jarl's weapon rack It's a rack. For weapons. Belonging to the Jarl. Day 22 - Jarl's armour rack It's another rack. For... oh you can figure it out! Day 23 - Jarl's throne Sitting. The great leveler. From the mightiest pharaoh to the lowliest peasant, who doesn’t enjoy a good sit? Day 24 - The Jarl Who didn't see this coming after the past few days?! A good jarl would rule not by force, but with the support of his followers. He is a strong leader, an inspirational speaker, and a fierce warrior; generous with his food, drink, and coin. Edited December 24, 2017 by ED-209 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgherko Posted December 1, 2017 (edited) Finally a reason to open the internet browser for the next 24 days huzzah Edited December 2, 2017 by dgherko Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Littleworlds Posted December 1, 2017 Fun idea! Vikings are always great. By Odin, I'm looking forward how the other 23 will be like! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 2, 2017 Yes! Vikings are always great! Thanks for the kind words both of you, I'm looking forward to drawing this out over the next few weeks! I'll add each new day to the original post... Day 2 is now online! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgherko Posted December 2, 2017 This going to be fun to watch. The theme or sub-theme was nicely done. Five factions red, blue, blue, chains crossed and axe over shirt were well done. Alog fortress and a very well made longboat. The cmf line brought in another viking, a female, a hun, a hughlander, a female warrior tribe and several barbarian types looking like Conan from the comics. All we need is something to raid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 3, 2017 As I'll tell anyone who'll listen, it was the Viking sets that brought me out of my Dark Ages. The sets are a bit dated now though, I really wish they'd do a new Viking line! With some civilian figs in addition to all the warriors. And a longhouse! But then, that's the beauty of Lego - I just make these things myself anyway! Day 3 is now online! (Speaking of civilian figs...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Littleworlds Posted December 3, 2017 Day 3 looks so cute! So far there is quite a lot of diversity! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 5, 2017 Thanks KristofBD! And thanks again Littleworlds! I tried to represent a few different elements of village life. As one of the gripes we AFOLs have with TLG's castle stuff is how over represented soldiers and knights are. I know, I know, conflicts are what the kids like to play out! But nevertheless, I always wanted merchants and tailors and craftsmen and stuff when I was a kid, as well as soldiers and knights! Anyway... Day 5 is now up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wardancer Posted December 5, 2017 Great theme! I have watched "Vikings" a lot recently and thought that there should be more LEGO about vikings. Brick on Ed-209. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nine09nueve Posted December 6, 2017 This is ALL kinds of awesomesauce! Can't wait to see more and more... plus my 8yo loves them too! Win win Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lego tripper Posted December 6, 2017 I don't recognize that torso with the blue body paint. Which fig is that from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitusV Posted December 6, 2017 Simple, small yet so beautiful! My favoured figure (to date, of course!) is defenitely the woodcarver A little detail I'm no fan of is the combinantion of tan pants and a yellow torso for the Day 1 Figure... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 7, 2017 On 12/5/2017 at 8:27 PM, Wardancer said: Great theme! I have watched "Vikings" a lot recently and thought that there should be more LEGO about vikings. Brick on Ed-209. Thanks! I think you're right - if I were a Danish toy company, I'd be making Viking toys all the time! :-P 21 hours ago, nine09nueve said: This is ALL kinds of awesomesauce! Can't wait to see more and more... plus my 8yo loves them too! Win win My 4yo loves them too! (Although he loves his Lego City calendar as well!) And my 2yo ran off with with the little chicken from day 3! 20 hours ago, lego tripper said: I don't recognize that torso with the blue body paint. Which fig is that from? That's because it's a custom sticker I made! 16 hours ago, TitusV said: Simple, small yet so beautiful! My favoured figure (to date, of course!) is defenitely the woodcarver A little detail I'm no fan of is the combinantion of tan pants and a yellow torso for the Day 1 Figure... Thank you, the woodcarver is wearing one of my standard Norse tunic printed torsos. I had them printed in several colours and have gotten a lot of mileage out of them! What's troubling you about the tan pants? Is it the "squint and he looks like he might be wearing underpants" thing? I originally had him in unprinted pants, but it just looked too plain. My preference would actually be dark tan, if I had something that had a suitable belt and pouch printed on it. And by Frey's golden boar, Day 7 is now online! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitusV Posted December 7, 2017 1 hour ago, ED-209 said: ... Thank you, the woodcarver is wearing one of my standard Norse tunic printed torsos. I had them printed in several colours and have gotten a lot of mileage out of them! What's troubling you about the tan pants? Is it the "squint and he looks like he might be wearing underpants" thing? I originally had him in unprinted pants, but it just looked too plain. My preference would actually be dark tan, if I had something that had a suitable belt and pouch printed on it. And by Frey's golden boar, Day 7 is now online! Hmm, normally my purist soul is no big fan of custom items, but I have to admit I like the torso. There seems not enough difference between the yellow and the tan. IMHO, it's like his legs just got a differently coloured skin Dark tan would indeed have been better, and I think dark brown wouldn't be bad either! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgherko Posted December 8, 2017 Don't want to comment everyday but kudos to you for making your blacksmith interesting. The most over used civilian minifig inthe castle world and managed to give him a tool we have not seen put together in a set. You are some sort of nordic wizard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 8, 2017 22 hours ago, TitusV said: Hmm, normally my purist soul is no big fan of custom items, but I have to admit I like the torso. There seems not enough difference between the yellow and the tan. IMHO, it's like his legs just got a differently coloured skin Dark tan would indeed have been better, and I think dark brown wouldn't be bad either! So it is the underpants look. Got it. 11 hours ago, dgherko said: Don't want to comment everyday but kudos to you for making your blacksmith interesting. The most over used civilian minifig inthe castle world and managed to give him a tool we have not seen put together in a set. You are some sort of nordic wizard I AM THE NORDIC WIZARD!! LOL I love that, I feel like I want to walk around wearing some sort of antlered headdress now! The blacksmith is one of the only civilian minifigs in the castle lines! But yeah, he's gonna burn his hands without some tongs! Aaaaaaand... day 8 is up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kjm161 Posted December 8, 2017 These are wonderful and so creative. The wood carver is my favourite so far. Love seeing new creations every day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 10, 2017 On 12/9/2017 at 7:50 AM, kjm161 said: These are wonderful and so creative. The wood carver is my favourite so far. Love seeing new creations every day. Aw thanks, that's so kind! I really like the wood carver too! Also, day 10 is now up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karalora Posted December 11, 2017 I'm really enjoying this one. (I have a running bet with myself as to whether Day 24 will be Odin.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Littleworlds Posted December 11, 2017 They are really nice. So much diversity so far. I didn't quite expect that and enjoy it a lot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 11, 2017 8 hours ago, Karalora said: I'm really enjoying this one. (I have a running bet with myself as to whether Day 24 will be Odin.) Well if you're having a bet with yourself the good news is that whatever shows up on the 24th, you're going to win the bet! But the bad news is you're also going to lose the bet! 8 hours ago, Littleworlds said: They are really nice. So much diversity so far. I didn't quite expect that and enjoy it a lot! Thank you, I had a lot of fun putting them together. And since I've forgotten which order I put them in, every day is still a little surprise to me! And on that note, day 11 is up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nine09nueve Posted December 11, 2017 On 08/12/2017 at 12:06 AM, dgherko said: Don't want to comment everyday but kudos to you for making your blacksmith interesting. The most over used civilian minifig inthe castle world and managed to give him a tool we have not seen put together in a set. You are some sort of nordic wizard Echo this - grindstone is awesome idea... maybe have the back element flipped the other way so that you have smooth on both sides of the stone? Keep up the good work D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED-209 Posted December 11, 2017 4 hours ago, nine09nueve said: Echo this - grindstone is awesome idea... maybe have the back element flipped the other way so that you have smooth on both sides of the stone? Keep up the good work D Thanks my man! But how else is a little blacksmith going to keep a sharp edge on all those little toy swords?! It's straightforward enough that you can probably already see this, but the grindstone is made of these two parts: and I'd love the grindstone to be smooth/tiled on both sides! Do you mean to replace the plate with another tile, and position them back to back? It would be doable, but because they both have pin holes instead of axle holes they'd move about feely and the axle would slide out easily (unless you used a longer one with bushings on the end). There may be a way to get a smooth underside to the wheel, but I was just trying to build it with the minimum number of parts I could! Let me know if I've misunderstood what you were suggesting, or if you (or anyone else) has any other suggestions! And Lego? If you're listening: I'd like a new element like this, but round and with a hole through it! By Odin's beard, day 12 is now online and that means we're already half way through! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nine09nueve Posted December 12, 2017 14 hours ago, ED-209 said: Thanks my man! But how else is a little blacksmith going to keep a sharp edge on all those little toy swords?! It's straightforward enough that you can probably already see this, but the grindstone is made of these two parts: and I'd love the grindstone to be smooth/tiled on both sides! Do you mean to replace the plate with another tile, and position them back to back? It would be doable, but because they both have pin holes instead of axle holes they'd move about feely and the axle would slide out easily (unless you used a longer one with bushings on the end). There may be a way to get a smooth underside to the wheel, but I was just trying to build it with the minimum number of parts I could! Let me know if I've misunderstood what you were suggesting, or if you (or anyone else) has any other sugges Ah yes - tbh I didn't look as closely to the wheel as I needed to... hmmm that is something to think about (will get back to you when I have a breakthrough - either mentally or with a drill bit through a small round tile!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
