AwesomeStar

Perfect, thank you ever so much. I'm now torn between two bridge designs but that's another matter all together. Cheers, mrklaw! -A.S.

Yep, that's exactly what I mean. I have come up with another variant of the bridge that is built in the same style but doesn't use the under-curve technique. However, I would like to see if this works. -A.S.

Hello, I'm currently some way down the line of constructing a diorama built in the late 80s CC style featuring Forestman and other sets of that era, in both LDD and real life. I use LDD to plan ahead, test and experiment so that when it comes down to ordering through BL I have just what I need. However, there is obviously a limit to what LDD can do compared to the real world, and as I'm sure you are all aware this includes 'illegal' techniques and friction. I wish to build a bridge across two parts of the diorama - a span which the Brick, Arch 1 x 12 x 3 fits perfectly - but unfortunately I do not possess two or even one of said part to test for myself. Here is an image of the diorama so far (I would show you a real life image but it is a fair bit behind this up-to-date version): LDDScreenShot14 by AwesomeStar, on Flickr And here is an image of Brick, Arch 1 x 12 x 3 (borrowed from BrickLink). Now the idea I have is of placing 1x6 plates underneath the parts so that they form a nice arched bridge while still in that Classic Castle style. However seeing as I can't test for myself I thought I'd drop a note here asking if any of you kind folks out there could possibly have a go? Thanks so much, -A.S.

My word, it's just too beautiful! I don't know if you're a father, Phil, but I know for sure that when I was a kid I would have loved my dad to have built me something like this. It's like a whole world on a table, just waiting for an imaginative child (or grown-up!) to break out the minifigs and embark on legendary adventures. I can't wait to see it all completed, but these photos are more than enough for me right now.. -A.S.

My word, it's gorgeous! I've never thought of a fall scene, but you make it look so brilliant it'll be hard not to now. Really well done, incredibly innovative!

My parts bin, haha! Seriously though, Bricklink is, again, your best bet. I've known people who practically give away their sets at car boot sales and then get mad when I ask whether they thought about BL. The likelihood of making sales depends on your prices, stock availability and also whether or not the items you're selling are of low quantity in the area. For example, I've just got a vintage set - the Forestmen's Camouflaged Outpost - through the mail from a guy in Austria. I went onto Bricklink, looked at the prices, and saw that even with an extra £10.00 shipping + insurance, he was still the cheapest in a very small list. So it sort of works like that. Good luck selling your stuff! -A.S.

Ah I see. But I've also experienced that odd pricing in the UK. I think it generally boils down to what pieces you are buying, however. Taking you example, a 1x4 dark brown plate would be twice as expensive as a 2x2 black slope because it is less common both in availability and colour. -A.S.

Your best bet is Bricklink. You can find pretty much any piece ever produced, mostly in big bulk quantities (perfect for landscaping), all for a good price from reliable sellers. It really can't be beaten by buying expensive official sets that only contain a few of what you need. Hope you find what you're looking for! -A.S.

Managed to get a Forestmen's Hideout from eBay w/instructions for around £15. About three missing pieces, but easily rectified with BL. Also have a Camouflaged Outpost being shipped from Austria at the moment for around £38 w/shipping + insurance, also from BL. Very excited to start building up a vintage collection.

Another fantastic retro MOC! I love the thought you put into these and the detail with which you compile these article-sized posts of yours. They're a real pleasure to read. Your retro-series has inspired me to construct my own late-80s style MOC, a big project but one that I continue with renewed vigour every time you post one of these. -A.S.

I'd just like to add a couple sellers to the list. One I actually haven't bought from yet (will most likely order tomorrow), but his customer service is so thoughtful and friendly I just had to do mention him. 1. Gizmocom (username: gizmocom) - very affordable prices and extremely fast shipping. 2. Daigoro (username: medicus) - as I said before, very friendly and fast customer service. Happy to answer questions and provide information. Despite needing to add on insurance (he's shipping from Austria), he knocked a bit off due to a couple punch holes in the instructions that I don't mind too much about and made it very affordable. Could not recommend these two sellers anymore than I have done, really quite genuinely good people. -A.S.

Astoundingly beautiful. You've really captured the Kaphilin style with a touch of flair and finesse to it, which correlates well with the Avalonian look. One of my favourite Embassy's so far, and lovely presentation too! -A.S.

Really great work! I'm currently undertaking a diorama about 1/2 the size of yours and it's great to see somebody pull it off so well at double the resources. A fantastic inspiration, well done! -A.S.

Another great read! I've been enjoying your blog for some time now. In fact, it's because of your review on the Forestmen line that I missed out on by some years that I'm now looking at a Forestmen's Hideout I just got through from eBay, along with plans to collect some of the others. Well done, looking forward to the next installment! -A.S.

Thank you all for your comments, folks! I had an extremely enjoyable (and profitable) birthday yesterday, so expect more from me soon, Bricklink be willing. @de Gothia - I agree about the fence, I felt that if I made it somewhat higgedly-piggeldy it would create a more 'lived-in' atmosphere for the environment. Great to see that my MOC has inspired some of the Historica-brand competitive spirit in this thread! -A.S.

Hello all, The other week I challenged myself to having a go at landscaping. I enjoy creating landscapes within the Castle theme but generally my attempts fall short. Thanks to Derfel's guide I came up with a few ideas and produced this bignette(?). This is also my first attempt at building a decorative base around the MOC. Here is the Flickr description: "Medium-sized vignette made for the Avalonia guild of Eurobrick's Historica. An old peasant caught stealing grain is to be executed by an Avalonian guard patrol just off the lake side when they are interrupted by a passing knight adorned with the insignia of a Lion. Apologies for the photographic (un)quality. I was in a rush to take them before I took apart the build for use in a WIP and neglected to set up my studio". And here are a couple of pictures. They link to their Flickr pages. IMG_1304 by AwesomeStar, on Flickr IMG_1324 by AwesomeStar, on Flickr Flickr set. Thanks for looking. Comments and criticism are welcome! -A.S.

Simply gorgeous, CGH. Over the summer I got especially interested in Viking history and attempted to build my own longship. Unfortunately my Bricklink budget ran dry and I had to call it quits, but it fills me with pleasure to see such an experienced ship builder such as yourself produce something so accurate AND beautiful -A.S.

I'm somewhere in between. Occasionally I'll build a single MOC by itself (for example, I currently have a medium-sized Avalonia vignette sitting on my working desk ready to be photographed for the Guild), but I guess I do like to create my own little worlds. Something I've really been getting into lately is collecting (or attempting to collect) sets in a sub-theme and then combining them together. So far I've had better luck with MB's Halo line due to their availability, but at the moment I've just purchased the 1988 Forestman's Outpost from an eBay seller and with my birthday coming up this week I'll probably end up procuring some of the other Forestmen sets and a few Lion Knight ones to even it out a bit. To support this woody collection I sat down yesterday and dug out all my green baseplates, trees, plant bits and as many classic-castle bits and bobs I had, so then when I eventually collect some of the sets I'll have a decent environment to play in. So I guess I do like making individual MOCs and those in my own world, but I'm of the sort who prefers to take Lego's themes and expand upon them! -A.S.

They're all very well done, and superbly presented. Number Four, however, is just beautiful!

If you're still signing on new guild members, I, Rorik Strongarm, would like to pledge my allegiance to Mitgardia.

I'd certainly like to see a much more realistic take on the Vikings than Lego's previous line. That or a theme based on Celtic Britain, with Highlanders, Picts, Saxons, Welsh etc. Those two areas are my favourite in histoy, so seeing them in Lego would be great! -A.S.

New members aren't actually allowed to buy/trade and sell. I think the rule is something like 10 posts first. You may want to check the forum rules just to clarify this, I can't exactly recall what they say. On topic, however, I would agree with Toadtorrent, ask your sister what her daughter is into theme-wise, make sure it fits within the age-range for the sets. -A.S.

I've been following your husband's MOC closely (though haven't yet had the time to post a comment on the thread) and it's a real treat. I'm pleased to see that his ideas for minifigs are just as good as his ideas for the buildings. I would suggest that he keeps the kilts - they're interesting, clever and it's not often that you get to see minifigs centered around that celtic style. I feel that neither of the three shield types work that well. Perhaps the shields from the Viking line would suffice? Just my own suggestions, I look forward to seeing what he comes up with! -A.S.

I second this! It looks to me that you may have used CGH's tutorial for getting the sloping shape of the sides, but apart from that it's all a mystery to me. But one I'd like to see deciphered. -A.S.

Gorgeous! Galleons are in face my favourite ship type and I'm hoping to be building a galleon (almost) like yours over the summer too! I love the colour scheme and all the details - the whips are used expertly. I'm also pleased to hear about this being on a low budget - I was worrying whether I'd be able to afford such a project as I also have another one on the go, but if you can build all this in under eighty pounds I'll be fine! Did you buy all the pieces from scratch, though? Because if not then I may have to accomodate a slightly higher budget! I have a few questions on her, but I don;t want to clutter up your thread, so would it be alright if we struck up a PM conversation? Fantastic work, Derfel, as always, and I just can't wait to see more! -A.S.