Andy D

I like the idea of a Market Street "inspired", not a necessarily a recreation. This does not have to be a contest, but it could be. Andy D

I am the only one who follows LEGO and builds on a regular basis. My son, his wife and me build something each Christmas while dinner is being prepared, but as far as I know that is the only time they build, but they do look forward to the Christmas build. I usually try to have a theme for the Christmas build, a couple of years ago it was Star Wars, 2013 it was LOTR / Hobbit 2014 it was LEGO Movie. I am starting to consider a theme for next year (I like to get sets in the 500 - 700 piece range for the Christmas build). I am the only one who regularly buys sets or parts, and the only one with LEGO in their Amazon wishlist. I am the only one, but not alone as my wife and family also enjoy my builds and creations. Andy D

Your city overall is very nice! I really like the close-ups. How about KTLA tower and Paramount Studios lot? Looking forward to more, whatever you add. Andy D

Same approximate size ---- yes Colors --- there are lots of interesting colors and color combinations, I propose any colors. I hope this becomes an official EB contest! Just MHO, Andy D

Actually I bought 3 copies each of the first 3 WV sets, I was (still am) very disappointed in the cottage, I only got 1 copy and I am looking to disassemble it to make it what I feel it should have been. I bought 2 copies of the WV Marketplace, but it really doesn't fit for me, so I plan to get rid of 1. I got 2 of Santa's house and I may get a third if they are still available next year. Most of the parts in the a Toy a Shop are fairly common, so I believe you can get a good many of them from B'Link. As for mods, I believe you can use some of the ideas of my 2 set to mod to make a fully enclosed Toy Shop, it just may not look like the mirror effect of using 2 sets. For the Bakery roof I believe I can just experiment and make it look good. When I do the Post Office I may re-imagine it into a different business. One Post Office may be one too many for me. Andy D

Usually it is only because I used the wrong color someplace else. I either disassemble to get the correct color or use a spare of the correct color. One time it was a small piece still in the bag, once because I dropped one on the floor. I don't think I have actually been shorted a piece (yet). For me, the only time it would actually matter would be if it were a special, unique piece or a unique color, otherwise I can just get a piece from my spares. Andy D

Here is what I have so far, this is still a WIP, but it should give you an idea about how I combined 2 WV Top Shops to make one enclosed Toy Shop. Head On Front Untitled by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Right Front Untitled by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Left Front Untitled by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr RIght Back Untitled by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr Left Back Untitled by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr The main area where I had to use parts other than the WV Toy Shop sets way the white plates for the roof and floor. I think this worked out fairly well, but I still need to revisit it to make it more of what I want from the MOD. I plan to do something similar with the Bakery When it moves to the front of the queue, but I have other LEGO priorities right now. I hope this helps. Andy D

Sure, why not? Good luck! Andy D

I like competition... It makes all similar products get better, or... Be gone. Just MHO, YMMV Andy D

I noticed this book on Amazon that might be some help it is called "Steampunk LEGO" by Guy Himber Maybe this can help you with your research.

Welcome! Another Cal member. As Mazin said... Where?

Very nice! Instantly recognizable. You use the colors you have and you did a great job with the shapes. Andy D

I really like them... But the Fourth Doctor's hair looks a little much like clown hair to me. I like the hair style of the Sixth Doctor better. Most of the Doctors look very recognizable. Andy D

What I did would be a very expensive option now. I bought several of the Toy shop, Bakery and Post Office back when they were available set list price, with the intent of making fully enclosed buildings. So far I have assembled 2 of the 10199 Toy Shop back to back. Using only one fireplace and chimney. But from the sides it looks like a mirror image. It does look good from all angles though and looks just like a fully enclosed Toy Shop. I am thinking when I get back to it I want to make the roof removable for interior access. Andy D

I hate to be an old guy, (but I am) and but I don't really know how to use Facebook. How do you "ding" someone on Facebook? Thanks, Andy D

I am trying to find a contact for OC LUG. It appears that OCLUG is closest to where I live and I would like to see about participating in the LUG Thanks, Andy D (MyPlasticBricks on Flickr)

@Meiko Seems like this thread got changed to info about LUGs. It appears that OC LUG may be the closest to me. I tried to find contact info but I keep going in circles. How do I find contact info on someone in OCLUG so that I may see about participating in the LUG? Thanks, Andy D (MyPlasticBricks on Flickr)

Very nice. But where folks put gas stations is up to local city zoning laws. Maybe this city just didn't notice. Great station anyway. Andy D

I tried contacting LUGoLA and SandLUG, I got no response so I assumed that they had disbanded. I didn't know about OCLUG, I wil try to contact them, not for LUGbulk, but for social aspects of a LUG. Thanks for the info... Andy D

Unfortunately not a member of a LUG (none close-by). I have considered using 5 48 x48 BP, 7 32 x 32 and 1 16 x 32 for the base, then covering with white plates and trying yo add some texture in the form of snow drifts and such. It just seems costly, however if I want o do it, it just may require unleashing my credit card. Any other ideas? Andy D

I am starting to consider my design for my Halloween and Winter Village dioramas for 2015. I have been purchasing lots of bley for Halloween, now starting to consider the Winter Village diorama. This year it was a collection of the official sets arranged on a white table covering with plates to fill in, but not full. I estimate my display area to be about 240 x 80 studs or 19,200 studs in area. Estimating the cost of using plates to cover 19,200 studs comes out to somewhere around $200 to $500 depending on the size of plates I choose. This seems like quite a bit just for the base. I would like to add some texture to the diorama and a continuous base of studs seems the easiest way but... It seems costly. Any ideas on a diorama base that would be less costly? Or where to purchase plates to cover 19,000 studs? Or should I just bite the bullet and turn my credit card loose? What would you do? Andy D

When I tell people of my LEGO hobby they are surprised and really don't know what to think/say. When I show them my LEGO studio their eyes open wide and say "that's LEGO?" How did you do that? How do you use LEGOs to make those shapes. They don't want to leave or stop talking about it. These are mostly men (some women) between 20 something and 60 something and all ages in between, they are all truly amazed. I tell them I look at LEGO as the ultimate, re-useable 3D art medium. Then they understand why I build LEGO. Everyone (well most everyone) has desires of artistic expression and LEGO is one of the easiest ways to let those artistic desires out. It doesn't mater what I build, a house, a church, a car, or a spaceship... It is all a means of artistic expression. Children think LEGO is a toy, shh... Don't tell them it is an educational means of exploring their artistic creative side. You are only too old for LEGO when you can't stack one brick on top of another. Just MHO, YMV. Andy D

Wow! Who knew this existed? This will save me so much time! Thanks! Andy D

Yeah, I know what you mean.. I also enjoy the bonus sets, if I get one it's great, if not I think it is less expensive to just pay the price on eBay... Less expensive than buying a $100 set I really don't need. Yeah I can identify with this also. I have cut back from (more than I want to admit) to $500 - $700 per year. I find I spend almost as much on Bricklink as I do on sets, because I need (need?) more parts for MOCs and displays (Halloween and Christmas). All in all I still believe I am spending less now than I was 3 years ago. Andy D

Somehow this last sentence sounds familiar... I have cut back on buying, just the modulars, the Winter Village sets, and maybe one more that tickles my fancy. My main goal is to get as organized as I can and try to build a few sets in my backlog and learn how to build a better cliff for my Halloween display for next year. Good luck to all.... Andy D