2009 PIECE BRICK MIX FOR 2009

Above: Image shows a custom brick mix of 2009 pieces.

2009 PIECE BRICK MIX FOR 2009

Greetings!

We were busy working on brick projects and one of our long-time supporters suggested we create a special brick mix for 2009, with say, 2009 pieces! Whoa! This is the biggest custom mix we've ever prepared with the most varied parts and color selection, too. It's a one-of-a-kind mix offered right now on Ebay from BRICK TRICK DUDE. Check it out, CLICK HERE.

Below: Close-up shot of some of the 2009 pieces in this custom mix, including highly sought-after shades of PINK and TEAL.



Above: The 2009 piece mix fills a zip bag which is the size of a small pillow case. Pieces include bricks, slopes, plates, windows, doors, trees, flowers, fences and lots of other cool brick goodies!

PINK CONVERTIBLE

Above: The PINK CONVERTIBLE is constructed of white, pink, red and dark magenta bricks and parts.

PINK CONVERTIBLE

This posting features shots of the PINK CONVERTIBLE designed and built by brick artists PHILIP and MITCH working together. Cool features are the "torpedo" tail lights, the big white "fins" and of course the pink factor. This is the vehicle used in the CAMILLE'S CHRISTMAS CONVERTIBLE CALAMITY video featured on YouTube.

If you missed CAMILLE and her Internet debut, CLICK HERE.

Below: Another view of the PINK CONVERTIBLE, which uses a dark magenta slope for the "hood".

Above: This back view shows off the torpedo-style tail lights created with red transparent cones.

2008 ADVENT CALENDAR • DAYS 22, 23, 24

Above: The minifigure found behind DOOR NUMBER 22. His torso is red with a cool pattern and his "pants" are dark green; both highly sought after and hard-to-find items.

Greetings!

This posting features the contents of the final three days of the 2008 ADVENT CALENDAR.

DAY 22 revealed a male minifigure dressed in hiking gear including a backpack and pick ax accessories. DAY 23 contained parts to build a really cool RED & WHITE snow mobile. DAY 24 was the big finish with a female GAL PAL who builds the brick SNOW MAN.

The shots in this post were taken using one of the BRICK TRICK artists Christmas gifts. MITCH got a new photo lighting set-up for use with the macro lens on the digital camera and these images are early results.

Enjoy and HAPPY BOXING DAY!

Below: The contents of DAYS 22, 23 and 24.

CHRISTMAS EVE 2008

Above: The 2008 CHRISTMAS TREE & PRESENTS KIT shown assembled.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

We hope you are enjoying the season whatever you celebrate at this time of year.

Special thanks and good wishes go out to the many friends, fans and customers that have made the BRICK TRICK online studio such a fun endeavor for us to showcase our brick building passion!

We have lots more BRICK TRICKS planned for 2009! We sure hope you'll join us!

PEACE

2008 ADVENT CALENDAR • DAYS 19, 20, 21

Above: The goodies behind DOORS 19, 20 and 21.

2008 ADVENT CALENDAR • DAYS 19, 20, 21

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Behind DOOR NUMBER 19 is an orange jumpsuit-clad minifigure and DOORS 20 and 21 provide parts to build the pallet jack with bottles. The "bottles" from DAY 21 are notable since this part has not been available before in smoke transparent plastic.

Below: The illustration behind DOOR NUMBER 19.

Above: DAY 20, (not shown), has the parts to build a "pallet jack" and DAY 21 has a pallet and bottles.

Below: The 2008 ADVENT CALENDAR box with the first 21 days open.

2008 ADVENT CALENDAR • DAYS 16, 17, 18

Above: The Police officer minifig behind DOOR NUMBER 16 has a camera with a telephoto lens.

2008 ADVENT CALENDAR • DAYS 16, 17, 18

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The 2008 ADVENT CALENDAR featured a crime-inspired theme during DAYS 16, 17 and 18. We're not sure what that has to do with the Holidays, though the minifigures sure are cute. DAY 16 featured a police officer, DAY 17 had parts to build something which seems to be a mugshot chair with a big light, (flash, perhaps). DAY 18 gives us the minifigure criminal.

Below: The "criminal" minifigure behind DOOR NUMBER 18.



Above: The illustration behind DOOR NUMBER 16. Clever use of a goblet part becomes the "telephoto lens" on the camera.

Below: DOOR NUMBER 18 revealed the criminal, he even has handcuffs. The face design is one we haven't seen before, the smile sports a gold tooth.

CAMILLE'S CHRISTMAS CONVERTIBLE CALAMITY • YouTUBE Video

Video features blooper footage from SAN FRANCISCO brick artists showing car and driver which wouldn't cooperate during the filming of the 2008 HOLIDAY TOWN video.

HOLIDAY TOWN PRESENTATION • Images 16-21

Above: At one end of town a residential block is home to the POWDER BLUE BASEMENT HOUSE and the RED & BLACK ROW HOUSE #2.

HOLIDAY TOWN PRESENTATION • IMAGES 16-21

Happy Holidays!

Following in this posting are more shots of the BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN. You'll see images featuring several of the buildings which comprise six blocks!

NOTE: Click on any image to see an enlargement.

Below: Behind the YELLOW & WHITE ROW HOUSE is this bold LIME & PURPLE LOFT home.

Above: The LIME & PURPLE LOFT has an archway entrance, glass block windows and the roof lifts off to access an interior LED light.

Below: The SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE structure which launched the HOLIDAY TOWN project.

Above: The YELLOW & RED ROW HOUSE has a grand stairway entrance.

Below: A view of the HOLIDAY TOWN PARK where the CHRISTMAS PAGEANT is taking place right in the center of the city. Also visible are the surrounding blocks and buildings. Can you spot "Camille" driving her new PINK CONVERTIBLE CADDY which she just got for Christmas?

HOLIDAY TOWN PRESENTATION • Images 11-15

Above: Angelique is the custom minifigure angel designed to top the GIANT TREE in the HOLIDAY TOWN PARK. Angelique watches over everything and ensures peace and harmony for everyone. Angelique was built primarily with basic minifig parts, her "skirt" is a white slope and her "wings" are plate parts often used in airplane kits.

HOLIDAY TOWN PRESENTATION • IMAGES 11-15

Greetings!

This post contains more images of the BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN.

We hope you are enjoying your own BRICK DREAMS where you are this season.

PEACE

Below: A view of the "back block" which is home to several residences, as well as the BLUE MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY STORE, the TAN BANK BUILDING and the HAMBURGER JOINT. Minifigures watch from their perch on the roof of the GREEN NORMANDY HOUSE.

Above: The corner of a residential block across from the park is home to the CREAM & HOT PINK HOUSE. Behind is the sculpture that started the entire project, the SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE. Visible in the background is the LIME MODERNE ROW HOUSE and BLACK & WHITE HOUSE #1.

Below: The WHITE & YELLOW LION HEAD HOUSE is decorated with a brick wreath on the side of the building facing the park.

Above: The HAMBURGER JOINT, owned and operated by CHEF MINNIE, (seen in the doorway). CHEF MINNIE can make you a big juicy beef burger, or if you prefer, she also cooks up a delicious veggie burger. When CHEF MINNIE isn't cooking, she relaxes on the roof top sun deck, (not visible in this image). The HAMBURGER JOINT also has a secret access hatch to activate the interior LED light.

HOLIDAY TOWN PRESENTATION • Images 1-10

Above: Image shows the set-up of the HOLIDAY TOWN project.

BRICK TRICK 2008 HOLIDAY TOWN

Happy Holidays!

We set-up the HOLIDAY TOWN for the first time in its entirety yesterday. The presentation is not in our studio, but rather wound up in the dining room at home instead. The light is much better and the large table allowed us to include all the buildings at once.

Images of the HOLIDAY TOWN will continue to post over the next few days. This posting contains ten pictures showing various buildings, points of interest and more. The HOLIDAY TOWN has 18 different buildings, a greenhouse, a central park area, grandstands, numerous vehicles, a Christmas tree lot, bus stop and some of the structures are decorated for the holidays!

Enjoy!

NOTE: Simply click on any of the images to view an enlargement.

Below: This shot shows the front entrance to the CHRISTMAS TREE LOT and a happy customer wheeling away their tree selection on a CHRISTMAS TREE PUSH CART.

Above: The WHITE & YELLOW LION HEAD ROW HOUSE has a prominent location on a corner across the street from the park and grandstands.

Below: The GRANDSTANDS are filled with minifig peeps watching the CHRISTMAS PAGEANT held on the small stage under the giant tree which is decorated with red "ornaments".

Above: An overhead view shows the park, tree and grandstands which are in the center of the HOLIDAY TOWN layout.

Below: A view from the end of the block near the RED & BLACK ROW HOUSE #1.

Above: A view from the opposite end of "town", this shot shows the street and block situated at the back of the HOLIDAY TOWN layout. At left in the foreground we can see the PINK NAIL SALON building which has a studio apartment on the second floor.

Below: A close-up view of the action on the stage in the park. Note the brick "presents" under the giant tree. In the background you can see several helmet clad minifigs standing outside of the MOTORCYCLE SUPPLY store, (blue building).

Above: Another vantage point shows the park from a different angle and several of the HOLIDAY TOWN buildings in the background.

Below: This area is a small open space amidst a block of homes. The park area is landscaped with an orange tree and places to sit and relax.

More HOLIDAY TOWN images will follow...

WHITE & YELLOW LION HEAD ROW HOUSE

Above: Front view of the WHITE & YELLOW LION HEAD ROW HOUSE created by brick artist MITCH HIGHTOWER.

WHITE & YELLOW LION HEAD ROW HOUSE • BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN

Another in the collection of buildings for the HOLIDAY TOWN project is the WHITE & YELLOW LION HEAD ROW HOUSE. With a regal lion head corbel over the arched front entrance and the large bump-out front window, this home makes a sophisticated architectural statement.

Mitch explains he designed and constructed this building after seeing some properties near his own home while out on a walk. Mitch did not draw the structure ahead of time, rather he worked, building from a pile of mainly white bricks and, as he says, "a picture inside of my head".

Below: A three-quarter view shows the arch motif repeated on the side openings. A skylight on the yellow roof top is also visible in this shot. The entire yellow roof panel can be removed to access the interior, which is furnished. Another access panel shown below serves a different purpose.

Above: In the back of the structure is this access door which pulls down on a special brick "hinge", (a series of rocker plates).

Below: The access door can be opened so you can turn on and off the battery operated LED light inside the structure.

ORANGE MID-CENTURY ROW HOUSE

Above: This brick model designed and built by brick artist PHILIP BUCHAN is another addition to the BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN project.

ORANGE MID-CENTURY ROW HOUSE

This house sculpture is one of what at last count is 18 buildings in the BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN. Modeled after a house in a nearby neighborhood, the ORANGE ROW HOUSE is nineteen-fifties inspired and features a transparent garage door and a cool look-out balcony above the front entrance. The triple-tiered facade at the roof line is a common architectural element on row houses from this time period here in SAN FRANCISCO.

More images follow.

Below: Close-up photo shows the operable windows. The plastic window "glass" fits into the frame like a lens and can easily be opened and closed.



Above: A three-quarter view shows the back of the ORANGE ROW HOUSE. The back and some of the sides of the buildings in the BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN are intentionally left minimally adorned as they are intended to be placed up against each other when displayed as a group. See what we mean, CLICK HERE.

PINK GREENHOUSE BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: Image of the PINK GREENHOUSE custom building kit shown fully assembled with a minifigure GAL PAL wearing green overalls.

PINK GREENHOUSE • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS


Below: Parts included in the kit to build the project.

PARTS LIST
42 clear 1x2 bricks
12 clear 2x2 45-degree slopes
12 dark pink 1x2 slopes
6 dark gray 1x2 grills
20 dark pink 1x1 bricks
4 white picket fences
2 white 1x1 slopes
8 white 1x2 smooth tiles
1 green 8x16 base plate
10 green flower stalks (3 stems)
16 dark pink flowers
8 red flowers
8 white flowers
2 green transparent cones
1 light green large triple leaf
1 yellow sunflower



Step 1: Attach white 1x2 smooth tiles to green 8x16 base plate as shown to create “stepping stones”. Create 4 stacks of 3 clear 2x2 slopes for the roof. Using dark pink 1x1 bricks, create 4 stacks of 4 and 2 stacks of 2. Add white 1x1 slopes to both stacks of two-brick 1x1 dark pink bricks as shown to finish “fence posts” with a finial. Stack 2 green transparent cones. Add light green triple leaf and finish with yellow sunflower. Remove flowers from sprues by gently twisting. Place a flower on the end of each stem, (you’ll need 30 flowers and 32 are supplied). Stack stems in bouquets of 2 as shown. Flower colors can be arranged as shown or as you choose.



Step 2: Assemble clear 1x2 transparent bricks in 9 stacks of 4 bricks each. These stacks will form the greenhouse “walls”. With remaining 6 clear 1x2 bricks, create 2 assemblies of 3 bricks each stacked as shown. These assemblies form the greenhouse “gables”.



Step 3: Snap 3 wall sections in place as shown. Place sunflower on base plate between pegs.



Step 4: Add pink columns to back wall and flower bouquets to base plate.



Step 5: Add remaining columns and wall sections. Add gable section to back wall.



Step 6: Place dark pink 1x2 45-degree slopes on back wall as shown to begin roof structure.



Step 7: Carefully add clear slope assemblies and snap remaining gable to front wall.


Step 8: Continue roof structure by adding remaining dark pink 1x2 slopes to front wall.



Step 9: Carefully place the dark gray 1x2 grills along ridge to complete the roof structure.



Step 10: Add white picket fences and dark pink fence post assemblies to base plate.



Step 11: Place remaining flower bouquets in “garden” as shown.



Notes: Change the color of your greenhouse by simply replacing 1x1 bricks and 1x2 slopes. Using your own brick collection pieces, consider adding flowers of alternate colors or sizes. Even add a tree or a bench seat so your minifig can take a break after a long gardening day.