LegoMyMamma

The hint of dark green in the lower level and the wonderful Emerald shop sign really add to the realism of your MOC. The interior details are so much fun to discover! Thanks for sharing & inspiring

This is such a lively MOC, especially for a vehicle -- I can almost smell it Being able to see in the van to the fishes in the cases is great!

Thanks for your comments! In using limited parts, I made sure to use them all -- didn't waste a brick Maybe TLG will return to displaying alternate builds. Yet, then again, they do get criticized for merely putting one possible model images on set boxes. Some days bricks just can't win Thank you I can't wait for your granddaughters to build with them! May their imaginations & spatial skills grow with each build

That's fine to create a discussion, yet to inflate a "petition" on those pretenses and then flaunt it as a "win" for the RadFems is what I am referring to in that post. Yes, they have sites for posting their "wins" they have achieved with their spreading of false, skewed information, and implementation of block & delete tactics. Of course new customers will voice their opinion with their wallets. That Friends is selling well is one sign of that. Besides, new to LEGO customers can use established channels to voice their opinions/concerns! TLG has gone to great lengths to create and staff those channels! New LEGO customers don't need a grandstanding virtual petition. This isn't even about a civilized "discussion" at all. It's about abuse of platforms. Most of the RadFems behind this don't merely say something like, hey we don't want what Friends offers; they go further on to claim they know better than TLG as to how to garner what girls really want in a construction toy -- even if they don't have daughters, don't own LEGO bricks, or understand the history of TLG, etc. That they truly think TLG doesn't have access to "developmental psychologists" just blows my mind. They started throwing around the ads and the MiniFig ratio -- which sadly is more true-to-life than I believe they want to fathom. Why don't they go ahead and become female firefighters, police, mechanics, wizards, dino hunters, and all the professions they claim aren't represented by TLG's figs? Instead, they spend their time remixing other people's creations. Also, they can go ahead and customize a fig into what ever female character they want. That's another cool thing about LEGO! Since I'm backing posting here, I'd like to add that the individual interpretation of the commercials and marketing material is so very subjective. My opinion is that it's an opportunity for a learning moment (or teaching moment) to open dialogue with your own child (not speculate about what that 'other' parent's child wants/thinks) and listen to their interpretation. What a great chance to possibly learn your child's viewpoint and maybe realize they aren't so easily persuaded as you thought. Or, use it as an way to demonstrate what 'you' believe to be casting girls in a societal stereotypical way. This is also a chance for girls who don't feel they are like the girls in the Friends ads to realize that those girls who do connect with Friends have a right to build with LEGO bricks too! Yet, for anyone to say the Friends marketing is plain wrong is casting their personal opinion over other people's viewpoint and preference. This is a open discussion. The petition is/was not.

The petition to which you refer was inflated with "virtual" signatures influenced by false information sent via change(dot)org's mailing list, see that info here: http://www.paganomation.com/2012/01/the-ongoing-lego-friends-controversy/ Before that mailing there were barely 3,000 signatures, even after weeks of the Spark-related groups bantering for all their members. The fact that one core RadFem of the so-called backlash is on the STAFF at change(dot)org is almost hilarious in the context of any type of objective petition or consensus amongst rational adult behavior. Shelby Knox lives her life for this type of opportunity to showcase their "agenda" and the Friends theme became square in their crosshairs. Notice their continued "money-shot" of the Splash pool they so desperately want to call a Hot Tub, and the ice cream float they want to call a cocktail. Any perceived "sexualization" of girls in this situation has been caused far more by SPARK, et al, that any benign LEGO set image. Shame on SPARK. As for any non-verified, non-objective online petition possibly signed by people who aren't even real LEGO customers causing LEGO Friends to be cancelled -- don't hold your breath! Friends is selling like hotcakes everywhere! The Friends Launch & Build event I attended had loads of girls new to LEGO very happy! Several customers were seeking some sets which were already sold out at that store! The funny thing about any "meeting" with the petitioners is that TLG sent them a reply Sunday Feb 5th, yet they continued their harassment Monday & Tuesday (after they finished harassing the Super Bowl commercials via NFL) and they began to create yet another letter-writing campaign (by the woman who called TLG executives "***hats") while the whole time they didn't even realize TLG's response was sitting in their Inbox. (All is verified by publicly posted info.) So, like I predicted in a post on this thread a while back -- these "barely casual" LEGO fans get to cut in line in front of more dedicated fans. They get to waste time on something that helps their agenda. That time could be better spent on real issues affecting girls' lives in a real way. That time could be spent on TLG's clock continuing to listen to actual fans on topics of bulk bricks, games, LEGO stores, etc., etc. If you don't like Friends, don't buy them. Just don't deny that today there are more girls building with LEGO bricks than before December 31, 2011. That's what it's all about. Stereotyping is in the eye of the beholder. There are millions of women on this globe who own & manage hair salons. Are they less female-worthy than you? Also, I see you are enamored with Anita. Too bad she skewed information to aid her little project. This whole notion that "all LEGO had to do is make more female MiniFigs" to solve getting more girls into LEGO building is obviously not a valid claim. Last year TLG did include more female MiniFigs Anita is just another re-mixer of other people's creations who sees a way to make a few $$ off the coattails of the backlash. Yawn. Also, for the people who try to say if only TLG uses those non-gender ads, then girls will flock to LEGO: well, aside from the 1981 ad spammed online ad nauseum, the 2006 silhouette ads where very well done -- yet, obviously that wasn't enough to persuade more girls either. I would rather trust TLG knows how to garner its own anthropological research than a bunch a hyper RadFems. No where has anyone said girls can't buy any set TLG offers and build anything their imagination can conjure. I say, do that and don't worry about what's on the other girls' plate.

The blue bicycle does come in a set -- Friends Adventure Camper set 3184: So many fun sets in the next wave

First off, I agree about the Poll function on topics like this -- especially when they are at the beginning of the featured set reveal, such as when a review is posted -- if there's even a need for a poll, it should go after the first entry -- after viewers have seen photos and read the review. Even then, the polls are more a fun interaction than to be considered with any scientific relevance. As for your daughter & Friends. Since she already has LEGO sets, and an AFOL parent, she isn't the main target customer for Friends. What we have to factor in here is that this theme is about attracting girls who did not have LEGO, or interest in building, before Dec 31, 2011. TLG's goal wasn't merely to provide girls like your daughter another theme choice (although many girls like your daughter do like Friends), yet, to get more girls to build. The only way to ever end up with more Astrid's in the world is to get more females to engage in LEGO building. A silent revolution occurring now is that many grown-up-girls are coming out of dark ages to build again. I took the time to re-build the City Cafe set into an alternate model, with constraints of using only that set, and a few bits which come in any brick bucket, to demonstrate what it could be like for a girl whose first ever LEGO is a Friends set: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=66420 The mini-dolls are certainly a matter of personal taste. When I saw photos, at first I didn't like them either -- yet, when I had one in real life, realized just how small and unassuming they are, I now prefer them to MiniFigs. You could suggest for your daughter to use a jumper brick for mini-dolls to stand on plates at an angle. I have been able to get them to sit on studs and tiles. (Feel free to look through my other MOCs using the mini-dolls, I have put a list on my profile page.) Price points are also a matter of personal taste; some people have already complained about the new Town Hall price -- yet, for me, the dark orange bricks are worth it

Thanks, it was a fun challenge, especially when some detractors attempt to claim the theme is over-simplified and not on par with other themes It's amazing how many uses there are for small pieces! Sometimes I spend more time imagining those than half the rest of building process. Imagination is all any Friend needs No worries, her hair is safe -- she just came from the Butterfly The PatrolCopter can stop on a dime for any crime -- hover over the lake, or take a break! The Cafe surprised even me, with 222 pieces, it really is a sweet set! I'm glad you took notice of some unusual uses, that is certainly one aspect of restricted-building challenges like this -- it forces the builder to use what's on the table -- no pawing through parts bins looking for that perfect piece City Park Cafe

HeartLake City has its own Police Station. The PatrolCopter can fly over the city & lake to make sure all is safe. HeartLake Police PatrolCopter comes in for a Landing on the Police Station Helipad Stephanie Lands PatrolCopter on the Police Station rooftop Helipad Stephanie makes sure the PatrolCopter is secure Stephanie climbs from the roof on the ladder - while Andrea secures the area with her stun-gun Andrea greets Stephanie to discuss the air patrol HeartLake Police Station - Andrea at the officer-on-duty desk, checking the power of the stun-gun HeartLake Police Station - you can see the water-cooler and jail inside HeartLake Police PatrolCopter in front of Police Station ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hopefully you will feel safe when you visit HeartLake city now ------------------------ The story: When Friends in Heartlake City need police action or a police patrol, they can handle it! The HeartLake Police Station has a jail, water-cooler, file cabinet, and duty desk with a stun-gun. Since HeartLake is a pretty friendly place, the station is quiet most of the time. Well, except for the sound of whirling blades of the PatrolCopter coming back from patrolling the Lake! ----------- This MOC was created using only the Friends City Park Cafe set and tires, rims & axles found in most any brick box. The purpose of this creation is to demonstrate that a girl, who may be new to LEGO building, can build anything with her imagination, even with just one Friends set! *Friends Inspire Girls Globally* ---------------------- A few more pics in the set Keep it Friendly EB

Your smile is a great compliment to me - thanks -- To: lightningtiger: Yeah, I initially did pull parts from Stephanie's Convertible, except after building the station, it only had room for a 2-wide vehicle in the garage. Now that I'm almost through with my self-imposed building challenges, I may build a fire truck from the convertible. So many scenes to make friendly, so little time -- To: Peppermint_M: Thanks & yes, you do! Danica Patrick perhaps -- To: surrideo: Yes, encouraging kids to re-build is a great idea -- even if boxes don't have images of alt-builds -- To: Mr Copperhead: I'm glad you enjoyed it -- the sets are more complex than they have been given credit for recently The mid-size sets especially like the Cafe (instructions are 55 pages) are very re-buildable

It's about using LEGO sets with imagination, and I've restricted myself to only the Friends City Cafe set and a few other pieces, as I've mentioned. The wheels are indeed from a Pink brick box, I must have had them grouped on the table with the yellow steering wheel console (which is from Stephanie's Convertible) as I was building with actual bricks in my hands. I can correct that portion of description to make you happy. So many pieces were on the table when opening the Cafe -- the set is more complex than some people realize. The instructions are 55 pages. Oh, I did use Steph's Convertible wheels on my Batmobile though My point is that I restricted myself to parts from only 3 sources. This is to demonstrate if a girl buys the Cafe and one small Friends set, and has a pink box, she can still build a lot of creations! It isn't meant to be any official fire station in real life. The water cannons are on each side of the fire truck with nozzles attached, which are controlled by levers on the dashboard. They are fed by water tanks underneath the chassis. Fire extinguishers in the USA don't have glass containers to hold the liquid; they are metal and usually painted red. I'm glad you enjoy being a fire fighter. LEGO is about interpretation of functioning objects as re-created using bricks. I'm not really sure of your comment's intentions, other than to correct me. Are you saying that you are the only fan in the Town forum allowed to build fire-related MOCs? I will continue building in this fashion and may even add a helipad to the roof. Helicopters are something I do know a bit about Also, this creation is partially in response to an anti-Friends commentary I read about 2 weeks ago, which said Heartlake City couldn't battle their own fires. I only just got the Cafe set a few days ago (it was sold out at the first store I went to buy it). I had to find time to build and then upload the photographs. Thanks for viewing my creation.

Yes, and the new 1x1 round she showed near the end of video, which are flat, are great. We first found them in some NinjaGO, then some green ones in Friends Olivia's Workshop. They just provide a bit more snotty look than traditional 1x1 rounds Can't wait to get all that dark orange. All-in-all, what a great new Modular set!

B-PV-4D City Park Cafe owner, Marie, is also the City Fire Chief at the HeartLake City Fire Station. She has loads of management skills from running a cafe. Friends decided to use the same builder as the cafe too. The rotating light beacon on the roof can send a shining signal clear across Heartlake City and its Lake! This way, all residents know to pitch in and help battle a fire or any other emergency. Near the fire truck's garage door, there is a siren and loudspeaker. It's an all-volunteer force here. The fire station holds regular meetings to keep equipment and procedures up-to-date. Here are some photos of a recent meeting: Andrea inspects the water-cannons on the fire truck. They need to be ready & full of water! Fire Chef Mike grills lunch for his Friends as Andrea greets Fire Chief Marie. Fire Station entry is secured with a keypad entry lock. More Friends begin arriving for the regular safety meeting. Emma checks on the Garden Archway she designed. Stephanie & Olivia enjoy the garden on their way. It's important to have greenspace in any City! The HeartLake City Fire Truck is driven out to the front of the station. Fire Chief Marie goes over a checklist for the fire truck to be ready at all times. While relaxing in the HeartLake City Fire Station Garden after their meeting, Chef Mike cleans up a pie he accidentally dropped. Stephanie's puppy doesn't seem to mind I hope my creation will spark your imagination and change the way you think of brick manipulation as very hardy play for girls to build science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills. Real girls build friendships frequently. Re-building LEGO sets is is just part of the equation: because pig tails can un-curl and any set can be powered by a girl's inspiration from the world around her! Additional interior photos in the set on Flickr This MOC was built with only the Friends City Park Cafe, steering wheel from Stephanie's Convertible (the windshield comes in the Cafe set as the glass for the baked goods case), plus wheels and green baseplate from a Pink brick box. What are you building with your Friends?

That is a great idea! Glitter-Oil, slippery and shiny -- blinding the villains as they wipe-out! Thanks for your compliments, I'm slowly working through my interpretive re-builds of all the sets.

Oh, wow! When I first looked, I thought she was a DC LEGO MiniFig! Just realized that's also what I thought from the thumbnail in my contacts feed too Great job! Honestly, this looks way more realistic to Wonder Woman. Let's face it, not every personality comes off well as a MiniFig

Thanks for all your compliments. It was interesting building with a limited amount of purple bricks

When Emma saw Stephanie's convertible, she had the idea to re-build in into a Batmobile! These friends are eagerly awaiting the new LEGO Batman game. In the meantime, they are enjoying the cosplay and all the gadgets. A Batmobile by Emma & Stephanie. Emma with rooftop open. This is how to get into the Batmobile (Purple Tumbler) because the sides are solid to prevent villain-entry. Emma dressing up as Batgirl. Purple Tumbler view as Emma takes it for a spin. Batside of Batmobile ~ Bat-oil sprays when villains follow too close. Thanks for viewing yet another version of the Batmobile More pictures in the Batmobile Flickr set. This MOC was created with parts from Friends sets: Stephanie's Convertible, Emma's Design Studio, Andrea's stage, Olivia's Workshop, and bricks from the 2012 Pink Box.

While Olivia's main interest is science, Emma also uses science in her pursuit of clothing design. Fabrics have been created for centuries, yet in modern times, science is a part in fabric strength, endurance, stretch ability, and other aspects. Some clothing today are engineered to have sunscreen properties, as well as insect-repellent. Also, synthetic fibers can be irritating to some people's skin; just as some people are allergic to natural fabrics, like wool. So, this is a journey Emma took during her break from the Science & Arts Academy. Many young girls today have projects they work on: some are products, some are social awareness, some are musical, some are literary, and some are about changing the world for the better. This is just an adventure story told with LEGO Friends characters

Congratulations to all the winners -- enjoy your new LEGO bricks This was my first contest participation. The challenge of building within parameters (even more than the regular parameters of bricks on hand, colors, etc.) is intriguing. Although my build was a bit different than most WV styles, I would love for TLG to do more Winter releases of buildings. Thanks to my supporters. To all who entered, thanks for your inspirations

The 2 LEGO Friends bricks are *printed* here is a photo of the reverse side: LEGO Friends "Bricks" from Alex's Lemonade Stand kit and TRU special Free Stephanie by LegoMyMamma, on Flickr Although, yeah, it would be cool to have "LEMONADE" printed on the 1x6 white brick in the kit -- the fact that TLG is giving the kit free, plus donating $1 per kit given away to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation -- a sticker will do

Even on a snowy-rain-mix day in the NorthEast USA, there were about 30 kids within the first minutes of the event. The table was surrounded. I've photographed all the Lemonade Stand kit contents, here is the set: I also photographed all 16 pages of the booklet that was part of the Launch of Friends: Here is photo of the Lemonade stand built -- I added Olivia for this image, just to give perspective. Olivia showing her support for Alex's Lemonade Stand! by LegoMyMamma, on Flickr That TRU sold their last City Park Cafe right after event started! The rest of inventory was 1/2 gone. I would say that's quite successful for any new theme

While on holiday from the Arts & Science Academy, Emma travels to Cambodia with her Science Club. She has heard from one of her Cambodian Friends there is a plant whose properties are hypoallergenic; she wants to reproduce the enzyme to use in a fiber. Her plan is to weave the fibers into cloth. The fabric will be made into clothing for kids -- especially for kids who have allergies to synthetic fibers. This will give them another option in life. [/url] Emma arrives at the sacred Temple wall her Friend told her about. She was told to look for the plant above the "surprised face" carving. She is careful not to impact or damage the sacred wall. Emma has successfully gathered the plant. It will re-grow in that same spot in about 2 weeks. Offering a special farewell to the Temple Wall, Emma heads back to the Science Club's camp. Once back at camp: while the plant's enzymes are being analyzed, Emma takes a coffee break after washing her hair ~ after being in the jungle all day. She brought her favorite red towel to dry her hair. Emma is excited to tell her Friends about her expedition! If the analyses are positive, EmFiber hopes to replicate the fibers using an algae farm process. This will be a green energy procedure, be non-harmful to the environment, and create some green jobs! For additional images, here is the Expedition EmFiber set on Flickr. Thanks for enjoying this adventure with Emma!

Apparently it was re-written (no idea why) and re-posted here: http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room/2012/january/lego-group-commentary-on-attracting-more-girls-to-construction-play/ Something else to consider: other than the Bloomberg article being written by a staff writer there -- the vast majority of the other articles, even on reputable news sites -- are written by guest opinion editorials, secondary bloggers being in a "sub-section" of the site, and a few gender and/or lifestyle type of categories of the sites. This includes the time.com article. This too is part of the social media campaign "networking" with any platform writers they can, to add to the blitz. That, plus several people who have sites they want to promote and/or books they want to sell Not limited to, yet including Goldman, who is writing a book about how her daughter was teased, err, bullied. Friends seems to have spawned a cottage industry of make $$ off the backlash. Even "femfrequency" asks for monetary support after showing Olivia's House on fire. To: fallentomato, Thank you for the compliments Now I don't have to challenge you to an arm-wrestling duel at high noon! However, the issue of memberships in groups still is more ambiguous than all us OCD people would like. Many who are part of the "no pink" campaign are not on the letter to TLG. As a matter of fact, one prominent person is Peggy. She is very much a part of the campaign, yet is not on that list for the petition. So, even though Goldman isn't on the list on the petition letter -- she is still part of the "campaign" by process of bringing her (rather late posted) article to the campaign's attention, and their disseminating of it via their platforms.

I love the "Space Spinner" ride! And now I want some hot chocolate too Yay for Rick getting your title changed -- EB has the coolest Mods Good luck!

Honeybee, what I like about this creation is not only the bay window, but the brown framed windows of that window -- plus, all the details that keep a person's eye darting about the images. Do you have larger images hosted somewhere (Flickr?) that people could see more? The Ellington House appears to be modular, is it? Thanks for sharing!