Village Elder's Cottage

[Derfel Cadarn]

Hi all. Im new to building, ive been collecting lego for years but never really had the time to build anything. Ive just finished my first moc and now ive got the buzz for it, so i plan to keep rolling them out. Please feel free to check it out: http://www.mocpages.com/home.php/21694

[Handar]

This is a great first MOC. Actually, for that matter, it's a great MOC in general. I love the recessed archways on the bottom of the house, the choice to use green on the top of the house, and especially the way you've built the tree into the cliff at the back.

If I had to make a suggestion for improvement, I'd suggest that you do something to break up the monotony of the baseplate at the front-left. There is so much great detail in the rest of the creation that the plainness there stands out.

[Sir Nelson]

Welcome to C-C. Your first MOC looks very good, and I hope to see more of your work soon.

[Duckingham]

If I had to make a suggestion for improvement, I'd suggest that you do something to break up the monotony of the baseplate at the front-left. There is so much great detail in the rest of the creation that the plainness there stands out.

I agree, very nice MOC. Perhaps from Handar's suggestion I would add: do a little bit of sloping there? i.e. use some green plates to help build up toward what becomes the big rock jutting out that the house is built on. And some random sprigs of grass.

[Legoist]

I like it a lot. It doesn't look like a "first" at all!

[BrianofBrick06]

Very creative MOC and as it has been said before, this certainly does not look like a first MOC, but in any case i really like it. The landscaping looks very appealing and in regards to some remarks made, I really like the front left of open grass. The simple monotony seems to contrast the complexities of the rest of the MOC. Nicely done...

[Ser Loktar]

I've been building for 20+ years and I still can't landscape like this. If this is truly your first MOC, and I'm not sure it could possibly be, then you deserve an award. I agree with Brian that the flat works.
Hope to see more creations from you, I'll keep your MOCpage in mind,
Ser Loktar

[Shadowviking]

This is an amazing first MOC! Not a bad MOC by other standards either.

My one crit here would be the premolded rock pieces. While I'm not against using them in general, it would look better if they were more integrated. Also, I'd think the ones that get periodically flooded would be the ones with the dark green moss stains.

Other than that, this is fantastic! Love the stairs and chain railing especially.

[Derfel Cadarn]

Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated. It was originaly going to be a mountain lake, which is why i used the darker green at the back where the waterfall was going to be. But i had allready built the cottage and decided it would look quite nice there instead. I practiced some of the landscaping first, just to see what worked. Then i just kept adding bits here and there where needed. I want to try out many ideas to see what works before i really get to work on something special. My next moc that im working on is another showcase im using to try some ideas i have in mind. Thanks again for all the comments.

[smcginnis]

This is indeed incredible. Even more so because it's your !first(?) build.... I don't think I'll be able to build like this for years.

Edit: O.K., I've decided to be a bit less lazy and actually give this a bit of a review.

Some things I like: the blue axle-pins as water in the horse trough; the way the lower hill is built, blocky but very classic; the fence; the path; the cottage.

There are a few things though that could use some work though: the two tone rock pieces, while fine by themselves, look a little weird in their blending with each other. Also, those curved slopes as trees(?) look sort of out of place.

Still, very nice overall.

~smcginnis

P.S. I've been responding to many great things lately, and I keep using words like 'fantastic' and 'wonderful' and 'really/very great/nice'—so much so that they're starting to look insincere. But I really do mean it, every time.

[Rick-Ricks]

You, my friend, have a real talent. I really like all of this.

[castlebuilder100]

Great first MOC. I love the positioning of the cottage. Also, you actually made the BURPS in the back look good. I look forward to more of your stuff .