YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: A new custom kit from BrickTrickDude, the Yellow Garden Arbor shown assembled.

YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR • BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

We've been busy designing and testing new kit ideas here in the BrickTrick studio. The YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR is one of our latest creations now available just in time for holiday shopping on Ebay®.

This posting contains images and instructions identical to the printed directions which come inside of each BrickTrickDude custom kit.

REMINDER: Enlarge the images by clicking on them.

Below: Parts included in the YELLOW GARDEN ARBOR custom kit.

PARTS LIST
3 green leaf parts
1 dark green 6x10 plate
3 dark pink 1x1 flower caps
2 bright pink 1x1 caps
8 green stalks with 3 stems
1 yellow 1x2x6 arch brick
4 yellow 1x1 bricks
4 yellow 1x1 cylinders
6 yellow 2x2 tiles
1 lime 1x2 plate
2 lime 1x2 tiles
3 sprues of 4 dark pink flowers
3 sprues of 4 red flowers

GAL PAL minifigure “Tiffany” is assembled and includes:
1 black “ponytail” wig
1 female head w/eyebrows, red lipstick/alternate face
1 blue/white “overall” torso
1 blue hips/legs
1 reddish-brown push broom

Step 1: Add yellow 2x2 tiles to dark green 6x10 plate. Place dark pink 1x1 flower caps and bright pink 1x1 caps on green leaf parts as shown. Twist flowers off sprues, place on stems of green stalks to create 4 sets of 3 dark pink flowers and 4 sets of 3 red flowers. Stack pink flower stems on top of red flower stems to form 4 plants. Add lime 1x2 plate and lime 1x2 tiles to top of yellow 1x2x6 arch brick. Alternately stack 2 yellow 1x1 bricks and 2 yellow 1x1 cylinders. Add each stack to bottom of yellow arch.

Step 2: Add archway to dark green 6x10 plate. Attach 2 green leaf parts to pegs on lime 1x2 plate as shown. Add remaining green leaf to peg of right leaf, facing to front.

Notes: Close-up shows leaf parts on top of yellow arbor.

Step 3: Place flowers on pegs of the dark green 6x10 plate along yellow tile walkway. Add your minifigure and you’re ready for a day in the garden.

CUSTOM MODULAR YELLOW WIG & HAIR SALON

Above: The YELLOW WIG & HAIR SALON project designed and built by Brick Trick artists here in our SAN FRANCISCO studio. This project is currently up for auction on Ebay.

CUSTOM MODULAR YELLOW WIG & HAIR SALON

This posting showcases images for another BRICK TRICK DUDE custom-designed and artisan built original architectural model from all new bricks and parts. While created to coordinate with your other CITY, TOWN or TRAIN buildings in minifigure scale, this nicely detailed and finished brick sculpture will also work well as a stand-alone piece. The YELLOW WIG SHOP & HAIR SALON project is being sold fully assembled, as shown in the images; some parts will be removed for shipping and details to reassemble these few elements will be included, (signage, mail box, tree, trash dumpster, flower). Also included is a CD of photographic images documenting the entire project inside and out, (NOTE: No formal written directions are provided). The YELLOW WIG SHOP & HAIR SALON is an original creation from the Brick Trick Dude building studio here in San Francisco and is one-of-a-kind.

EXTERIOR: The YELLOW WIG SHOP & HAIR SALON project features 3 stories of space constructed on a 16x32 peg base plate. The front exterior is decorated on the sidewalk level with checkerboard paving, a mailbox and a tree. There is a hair brush “sign”. The second floor exterior has two arched windows with awnings and the third floor exterior has a large arched window. The entire front façade is a bold scheme of yellow as well as white, dark green, and both light and dark bluish-gray. Note the skylights on the roof. The back of the building is primarily yellow as are the sides, (sides have white panels). The back features windows on each floor, a ground level back door with awning, a trash dumpster with shovel and broom and a flower. Windows on the second floor can be opened and closed, so can the skylights. Modular construction techniques allow the roof and top floors to be removed for interior viewing and then easily re-stacked.

INTERIOR: The WIG SHOP occupies the interior of the ground floor. The store has a counter with a cash register, lots off “hair products” on a wall unit of shelves and numerous wigs for both male and female minifigures presented on several displays. The entire floor is tiled in transparent green. The second floor is the HAIR SALON with a shampoo bowl with reclining chair, a vanity with chair for styling, bottles and a chaise for lounging while you wait your turn. Notice the artwork on the wall above the chaise and another wig on display. The top floor is the employee lounge and has a pink kitchen with sink, stove and counter with croissant. A table with flowers has two white stools and a red coffee cup. Check out the sconce lights and a “painting” on the wall.

DETAILS: Project contains approximately 1,200 bricks and parts and includes three minifigures as shown, (2 females, one male). The front sidewalk is constructed of white and transparent green smooth tiles and does not match other building sidewalks of larger-scale architectural projects from the manufacturer, however the light bluish gray curb does match. There are no technic bricks with holes on the sides for joining to other structures. Finished model weighs approximately 3 pounds. Model measures 5 inches wide and 10 inches deep at the base plate. Building stands approximately 11 1/4 inches tall at the highest point of the skylight roof peak.

Check out this item for auction on Ebay, CLICK HERE.

Below: The project viewed from the back.

Above: On the exterior of the second floor is a "hair brush" sign for the wig shop and salon.

Below: The interior of the ground floor which is decorated as the wig shop.

Above: The 4 modular units which make up the structure.

LIME & YELLOW 3 STORY ROW HOUSE

Above: The LIME & YELLOW 3 STORY ROW HOUSE by brick artist PHILIP BUCHAN.

Greetings BRICK TRICK BLOG Friends!

Philip has been busy with more work on the ROW HOUSE series of buildings. This example was first built using the DIGITAL DESIGNER, working from a photograph of an actual house here in SAN FRANCISCO not far from our studio. More images with details follow below.

Enjoy!

Below: The stairway makes a sharp turn and provides access to the lower door to the BASEMENT APARTMENT and the main front door on the porch above the garage.

Above: Close-up details of the upper floor windows built using clear transparent 1x2 plates.

Below: The garage door, (at right) on the first floor.

Above: More close-up details on the upper two floors.

Below: The tile pattern created on the roof. Note the chimney topped with green grills.

Above: The LIME & YELLOW 3 STORY ROW HOUSE placed next to other buildings from this series. The DARK GRAY & DARK PURPLE building, (at right), can be viewed in detail in a separate posting.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Above: Image shows the cover of the box from the CITY TRAIN STATION kit which was a gift received by one of the BRICK TRICK artists during the holidays.

HAPPY NEW YEAR BRICK TRICK BLOG FRIENDS!

We hope you has a safe and healthy holiday season and that Santa brought you all the plastic bricks you wanted and lots more!

BRICK TRICK artist PHILIP BUCHAN was the recipient of numerous brick sets this year. You may have noticed that Philip prefers to design his own projects rather than build models from directions. However, Philip built several models he received this season including the CITY TRAIN STATION and a discontinued model of the CREATOR TOWN HOUSE. Philip built both of these projects and others following the printed manufacturers directions. More images of these projects will follow in subsequent postings. Meanwhile, Philip is working on plans to expand and improve all the kit models he built and customize them with his own details.

Many more pictures of these projects will follow. We'll also be posting building ideas for those who were recipients of BRICK TRICK DUDE custom mixes on Ebay.

Thanks again for checking in and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Below: The cover of the CREATOR TOWN HOUSE model which is a discontinued set. This boxed version in mint condition was found on Ebay.

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.

TREE and PLANTER with FLOWERS BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS

Above: Finished model of TREE & PLANTER with FLOWERS, this version uses yellow bricks and red flowers.


PARTS LIST
26 green 2x2 plates
2 white 2x4 plates
6 yellow 1x2 bricks
1 green transparent cone
8 red flowers (6 required)
2 green stems
5 brown 1x1 bricks
6 white 1x2 smooth tiles


Step 1: Attach 6 red flowers to the stems and stack. Center green 2x2 plate on both white 2x4 plates, place yellow 1x2 bricks to form planter. Stack brown 1x1 bricks irregularly.


Step 2: Add white 1x2 smooth tiles on planter. Stack flowers on cone. Configure green plates in combinations as shown to form “layers” which will be stacked to create tree “leaves”.


Step 3: Add remaining two green 2x2 plates to one small plate assembly layer. This small configuration will serve as the base to add the additional layers in Step 4.


Step 4: Stack layers of green 2x2 plates beginning with the small configuration and add others, rotating each of the three one-quarter turn so that the tree/leaf form is asymmetrical.

Step 5: Place tree “trunk” and flowers in planter. Add tree/leaf form, centering trunk in the middle “circle” of the bottom green 2x2 plate.

Alternatives: Change the color of the planter by using 1x2 bricks of your own choosing. Consider trying 1x1 bricks in different alternating shades to create “stripes” on your planter.

COTTAGE BLOCK

Image above shows a "block" of cottages. Were creating building for our HOLIDAY TOWN DISPLAY which you may have read about in other BRICK TRICK BLOG posts.

COTTAGE BLOCK

This posting features images of eight cottages we've designed and built here in our FOG CITY brick studio the past two weeks. We plan to do more, using as many different colors as we can. As you can see, right now we have a red and black cottage, one in cream and hot pink, a small commercial unit in pink and maroon, a cool turret-roofed yellow two-story cottage with a garage, a green design with steep-pitched roof line, a powder blue mid-century inspired row house, a classic white building with black trim and the cottage that started it all, the SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE at the end of the block.


Image above shows the powder blue cottage which has a basement and diamond-shaped windows created using inverse roof slopes. The roof is covered with more than 200 aqua blue transparent caps. (Designed and built by Philip Buchan).

Below the green cottage, complete with a balcony and a roof-top sun deck has dozens of green transparent cones creating "railings". (Designed and built by Philip Buchan).

Above: This bright yellow cottage has a garage on the first level and a turret-roofed porch at the top of the entrance stairs. (Designed and built by Philip Buchan).

Above: Using a small collection of cream colored bricks and arches, this modern unit also boasts a hot pink bay window and has red transparent grills covering the roof as "tiles". Next door, (to the right in photo), is a pink building, with maroon "awnings" and green trim. We think this unit looks like it might house a nail salon on the first floor commercial space. A tiny studio apartment is at the top of the pink stairs. (Built by Trick Richey).

Above: Another view of the BRICK TRICK HOLIDAY TOWN COTTAGE BLOCK.

More postings featuring each cottage, additional images and details will follow in the coming weeks.

SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE

Image above shows the SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE, the first in what has become a series of cottages in the BRICK TRICK studio this fall.

SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE
Designed and built by Mitch Hightower

Over coffee one morning BRICK TRICK contributing artist Mitch constructed a small cottage structure on a 16x16 peg baseplate. We all liked the results and thought cottages would be a nice addition to our Holiday presentation. The challenge: to create as many cottages as we can for our Holiday Town display, while having no two exactly alike. Oh, and we have to stay within the boundaries of a 16x16 peg baseplate. The cottage portion of the Holiday project is a study in exterior architecture, so these small buildings do not have have tricked-out interiors like many of the other BRICK TRICK projects do. Right now we have six finished test cottages, we'll post more images of the others in the next few days.

Below: Another view of the cottage shows the side opposite the front door.



Above: The back of the structure. Not many details were employed here, as the structures may sit up against each other when displayed and the sides and/or back won't be visible.

Below: A close-up shows the details at the front entrance. The arch draws attention to the door, while the inverse slopes serve as korbels to support the second floor overhang. Dark Purple bricks purchased second-hand on Ebay make a striking contrast as the trim to the bright yellow walls. Vintage lattice windows and green shutters were another auction find.


Below: Despite our ever-growing and rather vast brick collection in our shared studio, we still don't have any green ridge pieces to finish off roof lines. So here, Mitch used yellow grills as an alternative.



Above: Another shot of the SUNNY YELLOW COTTAGE. More cottage designs will follow in upcoming posts. Many thanks to PHILIP for taking these shots.

BRICK TRICK TOWN

Above: Image shows buidings in a town/street layout.

BRICK TRICK TOWN
Holiday Party Presentation Samples

Here at our SAN FRANCISCO Studio, we've been designing and constructing various buildings as tests and samples for a town we are planning to have on display at a holiday party. The shots in this posting show buildings which include, (from left), the RED/WHITE ART MUSEUM and GALLERY; the YELLOW TUDOR house; a park area with benches and a large tree; a grand stand area overlooking the park complete with bleachers and a fountain; a powder-blue loft style building and the ORANGE TAQUERIA which was featured in a previous post. We're working on several other buildings right now including a series of "cottage" structures which will be featured in an upcoming posting.