MELO 2014-2015 - In Dreams

Hey, the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics is just about done, and now I'm finally getting around to blogging about it. You've probably already scene the finalists, but rather than jump straight to them, let's go back to the beginning. The first round was open ended - anyone could build a MOC based on one of six songs from the Peter Jackson movies. 73 entered, and the best 32 went on to the head-to-head match-ups in round 2.

I think there were only two entries inspired by In Dreams.

Mark McPeek's In the Dreams of the Hobbit advanced to Round 2.



Reese Hawthorne's When the cold of winter comes.. just missed advancing.

Eurobricks Middle Earth Contest

Hi all,
First up, I just wanted to apologize for my six month hiatus. I've been blogging about LEGO for nine years now, and from time to time I've just gotten a bit run down and distracted from my family of blogs. However, in the meantime, I'm constantly going through Flickr, Brickshelf, and other sites, and probably every day I bookmark a few more things that I keep meaning to post. I've gotten a couple of nice notes asking where I've been, and I guess it's time to come back. Also, during the year I save up LEGO books to review as people are getting ready for Christmas, and want to get those posted. And so, back to blogging. Hopefully I won't have too many interruptions in the near future. I've certainly got a backlog of great creations to feature.

Alright, over the last couple of months, Eurobricks has been holding the Eurobricks Middle Earth Contest, and there are enough great MOCs in there to keep me blogging for months. For now, though, let's note that it's time to vote on the winners from a short list of entries.

More Melo round 1

More selected entries from MELO Round 1, again illustrating riddles from the Hobbit riddle game.

Matthew B's Bilbo Fishing illustrated the fish riddle, and brought him on to round 2.


David FNJ showed us wind, and went on to the next round.


Finn Tegotash advanced with Dark, showing Radagast's glimpse of the Necromancer.


Time all things devours, including, sadly Arwen. Stuart Lucas' Arwen's sepulchre was a lovely MOC, and also an alternate build of the Elrond's Council set, but sadly did not quite make the cut for round 2.

MELO Round 1

Okay, I've been really remiss in not focusing much on the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics, or MELO, which started in late 2013 and led into the first part of this year. The first round was wide open, and anyone was invited to build creations based on the Riddles in the Dark. There were 68 initial entries, the top 32 went into a single-elimination tournament. I can't focus on all of the round 1 entries, so I'll pick out a few of my favorites over the next few days.

Alive without breath. David Alexander Smith brings his unique silhouette/woodcut style to Fish.


A box without hinges. Aaron L unfortunately did not advance with his scene of a young Smeagol teaching his grandmother to suck eggs, but I like his take on a hobbit-hole.


Grant Davis got one of the highest scores and easily advanced with his Lothlorien. He took a little bit of liberty with the egg riddle - his take is the golden wood is the golden treasure, and there's no lid on a forest. Whatever - it's an awesome MOC.


Finally for today, David Hensel had one of the other highest scores with his Dark of Mirkwood - Radagast's home as an interpretation of Dark.

Middle Earth LEGO Olympics

Here's an early Christmas gift to all you LEGO Tolkien builders, the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics (or MELO for short) is back! Round 1 challenges you to create a MOC based on one of the Riddles in the Dark. After Round 1, the top 32 builders will enter a single elimination tournament, which builders paired up in head-to-head competitions on assigned themes. The deadline for round 1 is not until January 5, but I've already seen a few entries get posted, so this should keep my blog full for the next few months.

Fell Beasts

Over in the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics builders LukeClarenceVan and Toa Infernum were paired up and challenged to build Fell Beasts. Both turned in awesome MOCs, but there could be only one winner, and Luke advanced.

Great Hobbit Contest

I'm sorry, it's too late to enter, but over on MOCpages a group is currently judging the entries for the Great Hobbit Contest. I'll announce the winner when it comes out, but my favorite is Trolls, goblins and wargs, oh my.

I like how this scene captures all the essential elements - the trolls fighting, Gandalf and Bilbo in the bushes, the lost key, the treasure cave, but most of all, the dwarves tied up in sacks:

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