Emma

My local Target still has Lego (about as much as they normally had pre-liquidation: several City, Starwars, Chima, Lego Movie, and Friends/Princess sets are still on the shelves). The most interesting thing is that there are still (as of last night) three full-ish boxes of Series 13 Minifigures available.

Hi guys - here is my assortment of minifig designs for the GOH Anniversary Contest: Kaliphlin: Colour Guard Soldier: Proudly part of the elite guard responsible for displaying and protecting the Kali colours (at least when he's not half asleep...). Assassin: One of the most lucrative killers in the business - with his twin bone knives, he's quick, clean, and quiet. Pit Fighter: Fame and fortune await the victors of the Kali pits - this fighter wants it all. Vinter: The great wine maker - he got tired of making ale in the frozen north and so moved to the warmer climates of Kaliphlin where he developed a series of vintages famous throughout Historica. Mitgardia: Horse Master: People far and wide come seeking the advice of this horse master to solve all their horse training problems. Mountain Man: Several bouts of frostbite has made this Mitgardian impervious to the frigid mountain temperatures. Adventurer: Having little luck in the facial hair department, this hopeful fellow is on a quest to earn his beard. Baker: The family recipes have been passed down for generations, and this dwarf is carrying on the tradition of creating some of the best baked goods around. Avalonia: Avalonian Infiltrator: The drow are on the loose, and need to be stopped. Record Keeper: This scribe keeps careful records of the local laws and histories. Archer: No one can figure out how this sharp shooter can hit his target every time - the guy's missing an eye! Maiden: This curly haired lady devotes all her free time to studing plants, hoping to accumulate enough knowledge to become a great herbalist. Nocturnus: Drakarkan Queen: She rules, alongside the king, under the seas along the northern shores of Nocturnus. Jester: One of the greatest Nocturnus entertainers - you die laughing when head start to roll. The Happy Wizard: Captain of the warship The Smiling Phantom - you'll want to hightail it outa-there if you see his ship out on the horizon (well except, you probably won't see it 'till after it's too late). Warlord Blanche: While Historica will more likely remeber her tirant sister Warlord Baby Jane - Blanche was truely the brains behind the terror that wreaked havoc across Nocturnus - until both sisters seemed to just vanish from history. (These characters were going to be my contribution to the Warlord community build (overtly inspired by What ever happened to Baby Jane), which I will try to complete one of these days... ) Thanks for having a look. A few of these might be recognizable from past builds, but for the most part I had a hoot coming up with some newish, unique-ish characters.

Squeee!!! Ahem, anyways... Thanks to Hinckley/EB for organizing this contest, it was really fun to participate. And thank you to those who voted for my little build. A big congratulations both to 6kyubi6 and Cara - your builds were definitely my top picks.

Book II Challenge III Category A Dwarves' Quest: Ancestors and Heroes Joining the Dwarves Disheartened by the Avalonians’ lack of response to the drow threat, Nimueh and Dark make their way north. Soon after crossing the border into Mitgardia, they came across a dwarven clan in the throes of battle preparation. Dwarf Chieftain: We march to war to put an end to the drow scum once and for all. Borders do not concern us. Nimueh: Nor should they. The drow are spreading quickly throughout Historica and need to be stopped. All Guilds should be joining the fight against the Spire and its minions. If you will have me, sir, I would join your war party and give what help I can. Dwarf Chieftain: Hmm… As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. We will have what help is offered, you may join us. The march begins on the morrow; but right now we pay our respects. Here, beneath the Great Falls, lie our clan’s greatest heroes - the valiant fighters from battles past, we hope to do them proud in the days to come. The back of the build (where this particular clan buries their fallen heroes): The front: This was a fun one to do - I had planned on doing the water at the top of the falls, and at the back, using a cheese slope mosaic (like I did at the bottom of the falls in the front), but I very quickly ran out and had to switch to using plates instead. It's amazing how fast certain pieces can be used up, lol. Anyways, thanks for having a look . Comments/critiques are always appreciated.

Phew! Finished a Cat A build for the Dwarves' side: Joining the Dwarves (And thank you for the extra week - I was sure I'd have enough time over the holidays to get this done, but evidently I was wrong )

Thanks so much for the feedback & comments Lol, yup a lovely lavender thanks to Disney Princesses.

8. stebai - 1 10. 6kyubi6 - 1 24. Kristel - 1 26. Cara - 1 27. Bayou - 1

Congrats to the winners and all the participants on some pretty fantastical builds! And heaps of thanks to everyone who played a part in organizing the MEC, it was lots of fun to build for .

I always look forward to seeing what you come up with - this is amazing! My favorites parts of this wonderfully whimsical build are the tree design and the rainbow staircase.

The dark green/tan colours look lovely together! What a sweet idea to have a place to care for the animals. The stove design is stellar, and I'm quite fond of the quilt on the bed

This is a really cute barn, all the little decorative details (like the deer names) really make this build great. I have to say, though, my favorite elements are the straw bales

Wow, the functions in this are amazing - and the design aesthetics have not been compromised at all to make room for them. Really great work

This is a really cute, snowy scene. Superb job on the roof design. There is nothing better then freshly baked bread

Blue Christmas lights were always my favorites ones. The front facade is nicely done - the porch, wagon wheels and white fences look great

Every village needs a bookstore - this one is great. The mosaic style walls are unique, and look lovely, but the really eye-catching detail is the decal work

It looks like there will be some partying in Santa's village. I like the shop sign above the door and the Santa collecting donations is perfect.

Great work CM4Sci - this would fit perfectly into the winter village. I'm especially fond of the candy cane striped door frame.

Thanks everyone for the comments I knew I forgot something! I had a bit of time to remedy the situation, and updated the middle image - thanks dr_spock. Thanks Cara - I don't usually apply stickers, but thought these would look good here so I had to search around for them (these are from the set with Merida). (New Years resolution -> keep stickers in one place...)

~ MEC Category B: Fimbrethil's Return ~ "When Winter comes, and singing ends; when darkness falls at last; When broken is the barren bough, and light and labour past; I'll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again: Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain! Together we will take the road that leads into the West, And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers I've always thought that the story of the lost Entwives was a sad tale... ... and I'd like to think that at some point Treebeard and Fimbrethil find each other and live happily ever after. Here's the whole build: Thanks for looking! C&C always appreciated. And there's a few more pictures over on flickr,

Woot! Thank you!

Gosh this was hard... Category A: #3 #5 Category B: #1 #4 Category C: #1 #4

The Nobel Rebel Lady is my favorite of the lot - that hair works really well on her. Good work

Nice figs! Overall I think Kaliphlin fig designs are the best of the lot - but my favorite is actually the Mitgardian Raider Captain, the dragon plume on his hat is great.

This is a lovely backdrop, and story, for you Snowvenom dragon. I'm especially fond of how posable he is. Also, congrats on the MountUp win, definitely well deserved .

Thanks for doing this again CopMike! The entries are great; I'm really liking all the micro LoTR/Hobbit builds, and that candy house by Swan Dutchman looks almost real . My ideal gift (right after world peace and snow, that is (which have both been beautifully render in other people's entries already)), is a 3PH landscaping rake: It would be a huge help in tidying up after the cows (as long as it's a little bigger than my Lego version).