Merlin's Magical Shop

[Matn]

When visiting Albion, Avalonia's capital city, be sure to stop by Merlin's Magical Shop! Merlin is specialised in magic wands and cauldrons for brewing, but you'll find every magical item you can think of in his wonderful wizard shop.

So I've finally made my contribution to our capital of Avalonia. I haven't build in ages, but I'm quite pleased with how this worked out. It's more whimsical than my usual builds, inspired by Derfel Cadarn, and I felt like I had to make something special out of it. I'm going to build a couple of houses and build a small medieval diorama, just to take a pause of the Hogsmeade project. But first I got exams coming up.

Brickshelf

Flickr

Hope you liked it.

[Basiliscus]

Lovely work!

I really like the stone work, colour choices (especially the blue roof) and the angled tower. Your weather vane at the top of the tower is most excellent!

[soccerkid6]

Nice looking house! I like the fairy tale style of it, especially the roof on the tower

Very nice scene all around

[de Gothia]

This is just awesome Matn! Love the tower, it´s really nice and I like the way you did the roof on it!

The dk blue roof on the house is just spot on! Love the colour scheme on all of it! Small details all over the place that makes the scene come to life!

Well done and I´m eager to see more of your builds!

[ZCerberus]

Welcome back Matn. Can you post this is the Albion thread as well? Thanks!

[Ecclesiastes]

Great job!

I didn't expect the blue roof to be that appealing! Also the tower is a beauty.

[Wout]

This looks great!

[Matn]

Thanks for all the kind words, I'm glad you all like it!

Welcome back Matn. Can you post this is the Albion thread as well? Thanks!

Sure enough, it's done.

[JopieK]

Very nice indeed! Cute building!

[TheLegoDr]

Very nice building. I like the design of the structure and the tower. The dark blue roof is appealing. I really liked it on Ollivander's too. Something about that dark blue I guess.

That shop looks like a good place to visit.

Keep up the great work!

[I Scream Clone]

I always appreciate the amount of effort you put in to your builds Matn, and its good to see you fit in a build now and then. What did you use for the corner stone work? These, or these ? If it was the latter, what do you prefer to sit next to them as bricks are always tricky to line up.

[Evil Stu]

Great use of texture and colour - I loved the dark blue roof, very striking. And so many details to look at everywhere. Great job!

[MikeyB]

Great build and love the details.

I particularly like the tower and the roof of the shop

Great job and can't wait to see your other buildings!

[Captain BeerBeard]

I always appreciate the amount of effort you put in to your builds Matn, and its good to see you fit in a build now and then. What did you use for the corner stone work? These, or these ? If it was the latter, what do you prefer to sit next to them as bricks are always tricky to line up.

It look's like a combination of both to me. I'm guessing some 1x1 bricks with the hole are also used next to the five studded 1x1.

Great build! I love the color.

[Matn]

Thanks for the comments!

I always appreciate the amount of effort you put in to your builds Matn, and its good to see you fit in a build now and then. What did you use for the corner stone work? These, or these ? If it was the latter, what do you prefer to sit next to them as bricks are always tricky to line up.

It's a travis brick connected to 1x1 bricks with hole. I don't think that's a "legal connection" in terms of LEGO, but it works. That new brick (the first one) would be less parts intensive, but I don't have many of those yet.

[Legonardo]

It's a travis brick connected to 1x1 bricks with hole. I don't think that's a "legal connection" in terms of LEGO, but it works. That new brick (the first one) would be less parts intensive, but I don't have many of those yet.

not a legal connection? aw drat that's exactly what I do.

Seriously awesome build, very Avalonian. good to see you MOCing again!

=Legonardo=

[ZCerberus]

It's a travis brick connected to 1x1 bricks with hole. I don't think that's a "legal connection" in terms of LEGO, but it works. That new brick (the first one) would be less parts intensive, but I don't have many of those yet.

I didn't know it was a called a travis brick... where did that come from? Yes, it is technically illegal (DC informed me of that) because the holes don't quite line up perfectly on those two parts. If you look closely at them connected, you will see the Technic 1 x 1 is slightly higher than the "travis" brick. LEGO does have the connection listed as illegal if you have as brick or plate above or below the connection.

I think this part or this part would be legal though, and I have used these with some success!

not a legal connection? aw drat that's exactly what I do.

Despite the illegal connection, I used it ALL the time anyway just like you two. It is barely off center and it is was more practical than a lot of other techniques!

[Gabe]

Beautiful little building Matn, looks great! I love the corner tower and the blue roof looks very smart. The weather vane is a nice touch too.

It's a travis brick connected to 1x1 bricks with hole. I don't think that's a "legal connection" in terms of LEGO, but it works. That new brick (the first one) would be less parts intensive, but I don't have many of those yet.

Yeah, it's a bummer that the bricks with side studs and technic bricks don't line up perfectly... i forget what the overhang is but it is significant.

[ZCerberus]

i forget what the overhang is but it is significant.

it is significant, or it is not significant? I take it gabe doesn't use the connection then...

[Zach Mills]

I think this part or this part would be legal though, and I have used these with some success!

How would you do the corner of a building using these pieces? I mean, the way people tend to do it (1x1, 2x2, 1x1, 2x2 e.t.c.)

[Gabe]

it is significant, or it is not significant? I take it gabe doesn't use the connection then...

Yeah, i meant "significant" in the sense that "the difference bewteen the two bricks connected thusly is both observable and consistant". Doesn't stop me using it though.

Btw, clever idea with the 1x1 corner panel to get around the unwanted studs on the travis brick. I'll have to remember that one!

Edited May 21, 2012 by gabe

[Matn]

I didn't know it was a called a travis brick... where did that come from?

I think this part or this part would be legal though, and I have used these with some success!

I think the name is a tribute to an AFOL.

Using the travis bricks with those cornered panels would sure work, but only in the case if there is a plate underneath them. You're not able to stack them on each other, but it's a good idea I hadn't thought of. Guess we will just have to stay illegal.

Edited May 21, 2012 by Matn

[ZCerberus]

How would you do the corner of a building using these pieces? I mean, the way people tend to do it (1x1, 2x2, 1x1, 2x2 e.t.c.)

It would get hard to go up more than a level or two if you were doing a corner like Matn did.

I wonder if this piece would work to go up TWO levels though... I would think it would clear the stud on the bottom, and on the front, but I am not sure if the top would hit the stud or not.

You're not able to stack them on each other, but it's a good idea I hadn't thought of. Guess we will just have to stay illegal.

I have used it for "lattice" work on houses when there will be plates on top of the "travis" brick and panel which is typical for a lot of SNOT building, just not for the corner thing you have done here.

[NiceMarmot]

I wonder if this piece would work to go up TWO levels though... I would think it would clear the stud on the bottom, and on the front, but I am not sure if the top would hit the stud or not.

Good thinking! I ran downstairs and tried it out. That 1x2x2 panel does work. The top part rests right on the stud, but it does not appear to be stressed or elevated at all.

Of course, the real solution is for TLG to get off their butts and make a Travis brick with only two studs that are next to each on a corner!

[ZCerberus]

Good thinking! I ran downstairs and tried it out. That 1x2x2 panel does work. The top part rests right on the stud, but it does not appear to be stressed or elevated at all.

I also tried it this morning. It works perfectly (its like LEGO thought of that when the designed the brick)! I would caution though that newer 1 x 2 x 2 panels have extra supports built in and are too thick to work. The tall panel then can go up in multiples of two bricks and the little panel can do single level so long as there is a plate or brick below it. I guess we have ourselves a legal solution (until DC tells me it is illegal somehow).

Of course, the real solution is for TLG to get off their butts and make a Travis brick with only two studs that are next to each on a corner!

Indeed. I think it would quickly be called the "Corner SNOT brick" or the "CSB".