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An Awesome Explosion of Colour

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It was no ordinary Saturday, in fact the Stuck in Plastic #SiPSummerworkshop2021 was due to commence. When suddenly! The crew and friends, realised they had actually woken up to an awesome explosion of colour. The colours of the rainbow had spread across the world. The bricks had landed in all sorts of different locations. With help needed. The workshop participants called on a group of superheroes to restore the chaos that had dominated Planet Earth. 

To save the day. The awesome citizens were asked to create a magical heart made from their generated colour. This would help to restore the rainbow, bringing peace and love back to the world. 

Along the way, the superheroes thought it best to have help because after all, everyone is awesome especially those who were already starting to rebuild the hearts after the explosion …

Continue reading “An Awesome Explosion of Colour”
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The After Work Shop

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Twenty Twenty One is for sure the year of the workshops here on Stuck In Plastic.

Our Winter Workshop was a success, the Spring One got a second edition in no time and it is already time to get the Summer One on the road.
But first things first.
We listen to your feedback after every workshop and take this to our hearts. 

Natasja’s 5:1 wide selfie from the spring edition

The Friday After Work

This Friday we will have our very first SiP After Work Hangout, where we will just chill, reflect and talk about the RLFM days that will be just behind us and hang out with old and new friends alike.

No stressful shoots.
No crazy formats to break your head and camera gear over.
Just a friendly chill after work.

What to bring along?
A passion for LEGO, being 18+ as we may be serving beers and port, and good spirits … and Google Meet.

Here you can add it to your calendar

JJK selfie in the 5:1 format challenge from last Spring Workshop

Sunday Morning Brunch 

And there is more. Before we get into the Summer Workshop we will be organizing a Sunday morning breakfast workshop as well. This one is open for everyone to join, free of charge, and good for both seasoned toy photographers and newbies alike. A two-hour coffee workshop exploring your creative souls.

Update. The very first was planned for June 6th at 10 AM CET but due to the confusion on how to get the invite in and the 18+ of the after work, we are working on the logistics with a new time and place and registration system coming your way. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the blog.

The Summer One

And then there will be the Summer Workshop 2021

Chris got code red this time …

The format is the same.
16 participants.
An amazing creative experience.
And a mystery envelope at your doorsteps.

We start on Friday evening and we continue on Saturday.

A full packed agenda of creative story telling, deadlines and pushing your creative boundaries in a fun and challenging way. 

The official date is Saturday 3rd July (we start on Friday evening CET). And if we get significantly more than 16 participants, we will do a second one the Saturday after.

What is needed?

We need YOU during the full workshop. It is a team workshop so if you cannot be in the zone then this one is not for you. Your team mates do count on you. Of course, there are always last-minute emergencies that can happen, but please don’t plan around a wedding or a family anniversary.

Good mood.
Good internet connection.
Your digital camera of choice. Analog cameras may come later this year.
Some extra LEGO will never hurt.
No Playmobil needed this time.
And art and craft skills may come in handy as well this time.

The Registration Fee.

And registration is required and you can register here.
The registration fee for shipping and handling of the logistics is 30 EUR.

Bev doing a quick recount at the last spring workshop

Recap.

So, just recapping all this awesomeness for you:

The After Work Hangout

Next week Friday (28th of May) at 18:00 CET.
No registration required (but feel free to add to the calendar).
Free entrance. 18+.

The Sunday Morning Brunch

Being rescheduled.
Stay tuned.
Pre-registration very much appreciated so we know how many croissants we need.
Free entrance.

The Summer Workshop

Saturday 3rd July

Registration required.
Limited seats available
Registration fee: 30 EUR

Crash for sure will crash our workshops once again. And maybe we will have a real MLP workshop one day.

Got any questions? Please leave share them in the comment section and we’ll get back to you in (hopefully) no time.

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Everyone is Awesome

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A few weeks ago, Beverley and Natasja were asked to get creative with the latest Everyone Is Awesome set created by the Vice-President-Design, Matthew Ashton. Having both received the packages from our dear friends at The LEGO group, it was evident that these were going to be special sets. They were to create something that could be suggestive of the designer’s intent without knowing the backstory about the set and adding their own creative story in the mix.

Everyone is Awesome

The brand new set comprises of 11 mini-figures, the colors of the rainbow along with some monochrome. Each mini-figure represents the waterfall of colors on the base and the background, walking towards an imaginary brighter future.

Paint the world with colour because you are awesome

However, who says they have to stand on their own colors? Or even be stuck in their own colorful world. When Beverley photographed it in the UK, she thought it would be good to mix it up a little and place the figures on the different colors. Then when Natasja photograph it in the Netherlands, she went all in and mixed up all the body parts. Just showing that everyone is awesome is more than a display set, and can be used in many different creative ways.

Natasja’s Review

Wow! So many colors, that was the first thing that I thought of!!!! And then the text “Everyone is Awesome” what a wonderful statement that LEGO is doing for the LGBTQIA+ community. And that wonderful monochrome minifigures each with a generic hairpiece! Well, all apart from the purple figure and her beehive.

Wow! So many Colours

For me (Natasja that is) it was a really special set because a few months ago I was following Matthew Ashton on Instagram and when he was giving a hint on his account that he would be the guest jury on the Dutch/Belgium LEGO MASTERS grand final …. I thought it has to be this way.

In an official interview, Matthew tells fans about his set and how that acceptation begins with the children and I think he is right …
Children are pure and innocent and they do not form an opinion as grown-ups do … but I think there is a task for the grownups to do … because they are the examples for the children while growing up …
We are all responsible to tell our kids how to have no judgment.
About how others feel, love, doing, dressing, loving or color.

We are all the same, just different.

We are all the same, just different

That is what I’m telling my boys too.

If they gonna have a girlfriend … a boyfriend … another skin tone … feel themselves a girl/ boy? Then it is all gonna be love from me as a parent …

So that they won’t have boundaries or fear that they are not feeling themselves.
I think that is the basis of acceptation.

The set is nice to build … and it looks wonderful with all the colors as background!

Break out of the box

Beverley’s Review

As Natasja has pointed out, people/parents are responsible for teaching the next generation about inclusivity. On reflection, I would like to think, that over time I have set a positive example of my acceptance of others to my own boys and that they continue to live by that knowledge throughout their lifetime.

We will never all share the same views and opinions, life would be boring for sure if we did! … Indeed, we like and dislike different things.
Perhaps, I like red!
You like green!
He likes pink!
She likes blue!
It really shouldn’t matter and I don’t believe I have the right to judge how others continue on their path of life. What matters is how you treat, respect, and accept others for the colors of light they shine, that’s far more important.

Follow your own path in life and shine

This idea behind this set is such a perfect way to celebrate how diverse we all are and to especially represent the people in the LGBTQIA+ community. Many who have had to face obstacles in life that they shouldn’t have had too.

If you could be anyone, be you!

Thinking about how I was going to photograph this awesome set, I started to see ways in which I could bring together different groups and genders helping to raise awareness of different identities. Not only does this set, send out a powerful symbol of pride but it is a way of proclaiming who individuals are.

Because everyone is awesome.

Celebrating Everyone is Awesome

Tag Us

The set goes on sale June 1st, the start of Pride month and has a big thumbs up from Bev and Natasja.

Here at Stuck in Plastic, we would love to see a colorful representation of everyone’s photographs of this awesome set.
Tag us using the hashtag #SiPgoesAwesome and spread the love.

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Haggis The Glittar Hero

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Once upon a time in a land far away lived Haggis… Haggis was born to a wealthy family in Fife, Haggis eschewed his family fortune to travel the world instead, helping where he can. He’s truly happiest with the sun on his face and wind at his back.

The Glittar, a magical powder from the ancient times…

Haggis the Wanderer (James)

What a strange trail of Glittar. Is it evidence of the disappearance of Haggis the Wanderer?
Rahts-Putin, on his way to the chapel, stumbled upon those traces of lost magic powers and there was a sound of merry melody playing in the air. Rahts-Putin started following them and waited for the bus. Why walk when you can take the bus…

Rahts-Putin (Julien)

One day while out practicing Lacerta the Archer was practicing his archery skills in the woods. Lacerta could hear a melody and followed the sound while stumbling across a magical glowing dust on the forest floor and a tree frog. Could this be a link to Haggis’ missing magical power? He decided that today was a good day for an adventure and headed out to follow the trail.

Lacerta the Archer (Chris)

Zorbek is cursed to lead a life of persistent frigidity. A slave to the warmth, Zorbek never stops seeking the legendary fire being who would set him free! Perhaps he knows where Haggis is? Lacerta asks him and tries to help set him free from the fire to continue the journey to find their friend.

Zorbek the Cold (Reisha)

While Glittar was on his foray, he stopped at a castle. As he is the master of observation, he noticed a strange glow on the wall. He looked closely and spoke a magic spell. A message appeared on the wall. A good friend had disappeared and the message did show him where to go.

Glittar (Jenn)

The message of Glittar about Haggis was sent to Purpura. She is living in her Glitter cave and Purpura also wants to help Haggis. Purpura is the star in making smoke bombs with spells. She is a good person but helps all kinds of creatures and she doesn’t care if they are good or bad!! It’s like Yin and Yang. She really wants to help to give Haggis his sparkle back because he is a good friend! Purple is the best spell. Crossing our fingers it all goes well!

Purpura (Natasja)

While ambling along, Barry came across what looked like a trail laid down by a previous individual. Barry did not like Glittar, colour or sparkles so in true Barry style he decided to blow up this sparkle trail. But in true Barry style, there was a big bang, smoke, and not much else. “Why is Glittar so indestructible?!” thought Barry as he lit another grenade…

Barry (Phil)

One of Yrsa The Cute’s secret missions was to help save Haggis’ magic, so she followed a trail of Glittar to a giantess. She had Glittar in her hair so she must know something! Turns out, that was her own magic and she knows nothing about Haggis and never met him.

Yrsa the Cute (Jana)

Spelk was poisoned after picking up sticks in the forest as a young girl. As her features changed, her beautiful soul remained the same. But because she looked different, she was forced to live in the shadows and help ward off the evil spirits by spreading magic glitter everywhere she walked. News had arrived that her old friend Haggis was missing so she decided to help find him. She had to go back into the forest as that was his last sighting, there was a glitter trail that she had not seen before. As she walked through, she saw the rain appear landing onto the Knight of the golden glue.

Spelk (Bev)

Marc, also called the Knight of the Golden Glue, is a bit clumsy. His sword is glued together, as he has the skill to drop it and break it. He has a limp on his right foot, as his foot has a tendency to get stuck in the strangest places.
He also has a thing for golden glitter, so he follows that whenever he sees it.

Marc the Knight of the Golden Glue turned into a skeleton and joined Skulor over the Dark Side.

Knight of the Golden Glue (Sacha)

Skulor wanted to help everyone to find Haggis, no matter what his parents would say about it (kindness is not good, you have to show people your power, stuff like this). So he follows the glitter trail and helps Heigg the Odd to create a magical portal. He didn’t notice that he has turned into a skeleton.

Skulor (Karine)

Heigg found the lost Glittar, hidden in a magical chest, guarded by two baby T-rex.

They spent some time telling jokes, as Heigg wouldn’t hit them with his sword, for they were way too cute.

Heigg the Odd (David)

Skoria the Scorcher was looking for ice cream, hoping he could finally taste some without melting it at the contact of his molten skin. While hunting for ice cream, he stumbled upon a trail of Glittar, hoping to find ice cream at the end. By the time he reached the end, the Glittar’s magic had turned the baby T-Rex guardians into adults.

Skoria the Scorcher (Maelick)

As the music got louder, Haggis appeared as he had followed the Glittar trail behind everyone else. He was wondering what all of the heroes were doing. He wasn’t really lost after all…

That’s all folks!

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The Quest for the Easter Eggs

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Let me tell the story of when the world almost came to an end due to the lack of chocolate eggs for Easter.

Rustlefeet the Hedgehog (Natasja)

Once upon a time, SmashMouse was playing with a big Easter egg and broke it accidentally. The egg was shattered into multiple parts that were scattered all around the world.

Continue reading “The Quest for the Easter Eggs”
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Hispabrick 36 in Space

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It is time for a quick presser here from our good friends at Hispabrick Magazine.
They just released the latest Hispabrick 36 edition featuring our own Chris Rose on the cover making this a double joy.

But let the Hispabrick Crew explain it themselves:

This time we wanted to pay a little homage to our beloved Classic Space, so blue and grey is the prevailing colour in this issue.

Oton Ribić will explain a bit about the essentials of spacecraft design, Ahmad Sahar will teach us how to program LEGO Mindstorms RI5 with Python and with the help of the red astronaut, Mark Favreau teaches you the basics of how to take good pictures of your models.

We review the Classic Space sets that provided us with so many hours of playtime when we were little kids (or not so little) and if you are also a fan of retro videogames, you are in luck because Johan Alexanderson has combined these two hobbies and we will show you the online game he has created.

We continue to talk to and build links with the communities around the world and AFOLs from all over the world show us their creations in the Top MOC section.

And an exclusive behind the scene from Chris on how he shot the cover for Hispabrick Magazine 36 on page 61.

What better way to start your Sunday then with some fine reading.

Go grab your free copy and enjoy the coffee and Space LEGO

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Sesame Street

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With all the craze around the latest LEGO Ideas Winnie The Pooh set (read the press release here, and Natasja’s first impressions here) one would almost forget the amazing LEGO Ideas 123 Sesame Street set that was released only in November of last year.

Stefan and Boris got the pleasure of shooting it for LEGO.
And now you can find the full series they did in our stuck in plastic gallery for you all to enjoy. And we even give away one professionally printed art piece to one lucky Sesame Street fan (so do read on).

But first let us share some of the fun and thoughts our two young-hearted photogs had when shooting this set.

Continue reading “Sesame Street”
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Guess Who’s Come To Play, Part 1

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Raising The Curtain

LEGO Ideas strikes again! Today they announced the upcoming release of their latest creation. A set by fan designer Ben Alder. In this post we’ll share with you the press release text by the LEGO Group. In our next post we’ll share with you the review by Natasja. Here’s what TLG has to share with you:

Continue reading “Guess Who’s Come To Play, Part 1”
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The SiP Spring Workshop Registration is here

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Yep. It is time to get the registration going for our second workshop of twenty one. The SiP Spring Workshop. This year we decided to organize four virtual toy photography workshops with 16 participants each from all over the world (update: we are fully booked)

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Happy Twenty One (and then some more)

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Twenty is gone.
The year that is.
And we will look back on it, don’t worry.
But we just noted that we did not wish you all a Happy Twenty One yet.
We hope the year ended in good spirits, and you are all ready for the new creative adventures coming your way.
At least we are.
We got our first virtual hangout with the full crew.
We put the final thoughts on our creative project for twenty-one and are super excited.
It is going to be different.
In some ways.
Slow and acoustic.
No 52 words, or a monthly theme.
But a full year project that will take us places.
Virtual places, and hopefully at the end some real places as well.
But more on that later.
First things first.
A happy Twenty One.

And then some.

Yep, some more already on the second day of twenty one.
Our very first virtual safari of the year.
Not a full fledged 3 day adventure in some real live location, but an energy packed virtual half day toy photography safari from the comfort of your home.
Bring your own coffee and good mood.
Hang out with us in the first of four virtual toy photography safaris we are bringing to you in twenty one*.

Just like our original SiP goes Virtual, the seats are limited.
15 places only.
A full saturday morning, starting at 9 CET, and wrapping up just around 14 CET.

What you need to bring along?

Yourself.
A good mood.
Your own coffee.
Your camera.
A good internet connection.
And your creativity.

What we will bring along?

A creative digital workshop.
Fun individual and group exercises.
A mystery envelop delivered to your door before the workshop.
A special memory to keep.
Our fantastic crew.

WWR (when, where and registration )

Saturday 6th February from 9 CET to 14 CET (doors of the lounge open at 8:30)
This is a digital online event using Google Meet technology so registration with a google account (gmail) helps.

The registration fee for the event (including physical shipping of the mystery envelope and so on) is 30 EUR.

Seats are limited to 15 participants only and do hurry up as the first 7 are already taken.

We will close the registration by next week Saterday (10.01) so we can inform all participants of their registration, and start shipping the mystery envelopes out to all of you. Please note that in case we have too many participants, we will use the innocent child hand to make the final list.
And we did add the mandatory GDPR to the same form so you skip filling that in seperate.
So, without further ado … do go ahead and register.

Update. Overnight we got +20 registrations in and we will have closed the registration.
We are in the process of finalizing the registration pool and will be back soon with more details.

The other dates

If you can’t make it to this one, but want to reserve the dates of the next upcoming ones, than reserve the following other Saturdays in your calendar as well.
May 1st, 2021
July 3rd, 2021
Oct 2nd, 2021

Is it worth it?

Absolutely.
But don’t take our word for it.
Go and read what our Chief Editor Stacy had to say about the last one.