tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134449902024-03-12T18:12:14.471-07:00Block PlayConstruction with toy building blocks and such, for fun or therapy
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Ankerstein, Unit Blocks, fischertechnik, Kapla, Froebel, Lincoln Logs, et al
<br><i><small>Copyright Alan Winston, Seattle -- all rights reserved</small></i>Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-6379122631131037332016-08-04T17:23:00.000-07:002016-08-04T17:23:20.283-07:00Therapeutic Piling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This afternoon I found myself struggling with what I prefer to describe as a "mental health episode," and as I found things getting worse in spite of the efforts I was making, I turned to my "<a href="https://copelist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">cope list</a>" of things I can do to break the patterns and give me the resources to make things better.</div>
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Both "construction toy" and "blog" are on that list, so as much as I was tempted to shuffle around them, I realized it would be better to just grab the rabbit (Or hare?).</div>
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Of course <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=21" target="_blank">Ankerstein</a> are the block of choice for serious therapeutic benefit. Smell, touch, substance, visual impact.</div>
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The Heinzelmännchen set is what the first box turned out to be, and a little shuffling through the printouts tucked inside turned up this little memorial, such as might be found at a crossroads in much of Europe.</div>
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I've been re-reading <a href="http://amzn.to/2aponAK" target="_blank">The Discovery of France</a>, which might be why a roadside cross seemed a good choice. It's a wonderful book if you enjoy geography, history, linguistics, or why rocks might have been piled where they were.</div>
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So I piled up Anchor stones as seemed appropriate, enjoying the rhythms and textures, took a couple of pictures, and here we are. Therapeutic benefits acknowledged. Blog written.</div>
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Good Block Play.</div>
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<a aria-label="Photo - Portrait - Aug 4, 2016, 4:56:13 PM" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipN1bAUtAxrTiQ_rkD0PmksZ9xK9MuvrDyYQADr_" jsaction=" click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"></a><br />
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Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-47755642908069059742014-10-12T19:07:00.005-07:002014-10-12T19:13:15.822-07:00Rocky River Trading Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17RzqPUhaqw/VDszpou0yAI/AAAAAAAALoc/_sqGJmHM6Lk/s1600/rockyriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-17RzqPUhaqw/VDszpou0yAI/AAAAAAAALoc/_sqGJmHM6Lk/s1600/rockyriver.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
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A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&ajr=0&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=lincoln%20logs&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alincoln%20logs&tag=blockplay-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=LUGSLUDHSHFT3IR2" target="_blank">Lincoln Logs</a> set from 2004.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-22275585419860902052013-10-29T16:37:00.000-07:002013-10-29T16:37:19.826-07:00Wonderbrix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yxjR-pRbps/UnBED9K-jlI/AAAAAAAAFes/1XmYVPDKNss/s1600/PA297256_N-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yxjR-pRbps/UnBED9K-jlI/AAAAAAAAFes/1XmYVPDKNss/s400/PA297256_N-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oTXTM56WG4/UnBEEUbYRnI/AAAAAAAAFew/6TjxWLfsM0E/s1600/PA297260-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oTXTM56WG4/UnBEEUbYRnI/AAAAAAAAFew/6TjxWLfsM0E/s200/PA297260-001.JPG" width="200" /></a>In my longstanding enthusiasm for <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search?q=lott%27s" target="_blank">Lott's </a>construction sets, there have been several that have eluded me - not the least being the Lott's <a href="http://www.architoys.net/toys/toypages/lottsjun.html" target="_blank">Wonderbrix </a>series, which was apparently designed for use with the then-new OO and HO train sets. Traditional Lott's sets were more suitable for O trains.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwr2bhmJWGA/UnBEHH1DdpI/AAAAAAAAFfE/OF3g_6SyNNg/s1600/PA297261_N-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dwr2bhmJWGA/UnBEHH1DdpI/AAAAAAAAFfE/OF3g_6SyNNg/s200/PA297261_N-001.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Finally, several weeks ago, I managed to acquire one through an online site, and eagerly awaited its arrival. Only to have it arrive with almost every stone having new chips and one critical stone broken in half.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qofz_1SewE/UnBEAFJWvjI/AAAAAAAAFek/YG44Z7U4Glc/s1600/PA297257b_N-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qofz_1SewE/UnBEAFJWvjI/AAAAAAAAFek/YG44Z7U4Glc/s200/PA297257b_N-001.JPG" width="200" /></a>Eventually I repaired the broken stone, resigned myself to the chips, and today I finally built with it.</div>
Wonderbrix sets, at first glance, seem to have their stones in the size
series familiar from the regular Lott's sets, and closely akin to the
Ankerstein sets, but in fact they are off a bit: ~3/8" x ~1 1/8" x ~1 7/8".<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SycAYkecVrY/UnBEEweftlI/AAAAAAAAFe8/nD7nkMPBp9U/s1600/PA297258_N-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SycAYkecVrY/UnBEEweftlI/AAAAAAAAFe8/nD7nkMPBp9U/s200/PA297258_N-001.JPG" width="200" /></a>But they are still well-suited to building, and have a very satisfactory feel. I am glad to have them.<br />
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Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-86060453408359176582013-02-14T22:04:00.000-08:002013-02-15T07:13:33.816-08:00Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmkSdVyCBuA/UR3OCDvF23I/AAAAAAAAFTQ/wFbERbP9yyU/s1600/P2147210-001dv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmkSdVyCBuA/UR3OCDvF23I/AAAAAAAAFTQ/wFbERbP9yyU/s400/P2147210-001dv.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Now that I am officially "Opa Alan," it seemed like the time was right to get these <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B0006IRSHY">Uncle Goose German Alphabet Wooden Block</a>s, which I have long coveted. They are one of many languages offered, including <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000S5UI18">Swedish</a>, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B0017HMBKW">Arabic</a>, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000C0KN96">Greek</a>, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B0006IRSIS">Hebrew</a>, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B002MYDSB0">Braille</a>, and many other fun <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=272" target="_blank">alphabet block products</a>.<br />
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Melvin helped me make this as a Valentine for Blake, who is almost five months old.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEZpoQ0mjqU/UR3OSJqIN6I/AAAAAAAAFTY/IxHA95d31d0/s1600/P2137207-002r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEZpoQ0mjqU/UR3OSJqIN6I/AAAAAAAAFTY/IxHA95d31d0/s200/P2137207-002r.jpg" width="199" /></a>The design is based on <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/11/froebel-gift-3.html" target="_blank">Froebel Gift #3</a> from a long ago <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/11/froebel-gift-3.html" target="_blank">Blockplay post</a>. It is design #19 on the design pages reproduced there [click page thumbnails for larger version]. The eight cubical blocks of Froebel Gift #3 are extended here by one block to allow a longer name.<br />
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Melvin is a good block builder. He keeps track of when we should have snack breaks, he tells me all about everything on each block, and he brings me the blocks I need. Of course, he also brings me blocks I don't need, and I have to keep an eye out so he doesn't take the blocks I need away again, but he's still good help.<br />
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And I don't think Melvin will begrudge it a bit when Blake is old enough to take over his assistance role.<br />
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In fact, Melvin is looking forward to it.<br />
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As am I.<br />
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Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-64544438787250517222012-08-16T14:56:00.001-07:002012-08-16T14:56:03.639-07:00Anker Steinbaukasten 4A<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YxqpVhHDFuM/UC1m7xdhXbI/AAAAAAAAFLs/HY_VD7WDvWo/s1600/P8167196-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YxqpVhHDFuM/UC1m7xdhXbI/AAAAAAAAFLs/HY_VD7WDvWo/s400/P8167196-2.JPG" width="271" /></a></div>
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Ankerstein only provides plans for the numbered series of sets: 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. The "A" series (4A, 6A, 8A, 10A) are only intended to take a regular set & expand it to the next larger set by providing the necessary additional stones (plus a few extra to fill out the box) and the next larger booklet.<br />
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I've always regretted that, since it means that when I just want to take out a box & play for a bit, I don't have any designs my 4A or 6A. so they don't tend to get mush use.<br />
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Today, I decided I'd just see what I built without a design, using the 4A box. This is what turned up, using only part of the stones.<br />
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Kinda cute, but I'd have to say I didn't enjoy it as much as building from a design.<br />
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That may just be me.<br />
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And nonetheless, it was good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-65835112883996017122012-07-19T13:54:00.000-07:002012-07-19T13:54:38.795-07:00Heinzelmännchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fSmy6Je9Ek4/UAhy2OEiTpI/AAAAAAAAFLE/98MH38NsNcI/s1600/DSCF1013_N-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fSmy6Je9Ek4/UAhy2OEiTpI/AAAAAAAAFLE/98MH38NsNcI/s320/DSCF1013_N-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yesterday I was looking for <i>Drehorgel-Musik</i> (German street organ or barrel organ music) and found a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQafYLBlJ7I" target="_blank"> Heinzelmännchen tune</a> - I was sure then that I would be building with the Ankerstein <br />
Heinzelmännchen soon. Then this morning I found a new comment on my last post - an omen!<br />
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So, this isn't much, and I don't have anything beyond what I've previously said about <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search?q=Heinzelm%C3%A4nnchen" target="_blank">Heinzelmännchen</a>.<br />
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Except that just about any block play is good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-10982135812270788342012-03-29T21:15:00.000-07:002012-03-29T21:15:00.972-07:00Anker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ApSkUgdBUYY/T3UyRb_mdgI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/nZYRbTEvX6Q/s1600/P3297132x.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ApSkUgdBUYY/T3UyRb_mdgI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/nZYRbTEvX6Q/s400/P3297132x.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>
Nothing like <a href="http://rekna.blogspot.com/2012/03/g29.html">a new design</a> to nudge me into getting some Ankerstein out & building something.<br />
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I grabbed the <i>Heinzelmännchen </i>instead of the <i>Kleine Gernegroß</i>, so the color mix is a bit different, but it was still good to build something.<br />
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I've been neglectful of construction toys.<br />
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Nice to get some good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-54929184957265164202011-11-15T13:49:00.001-08:002011-11-15T13:57:50.534-08:00Ankerstein<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O73sp0Hp2uU/TsLfh0YOwoI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/V3-XK76hpzA/s1600/PB157082-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O73sp0Hp2uU/TsLfh0YOwoI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/V3-XK76hpzA/s400/PB157082-1.JPG" width="292" /></a></div>
Is there anything in Block Play that is so satisfactory to so many senses as Ankerstein? The colors, heft, the tactile delights, the always surprising delight of the scent of linseed oil, sand, and chalk? Few things provide so many pleasures to build with.<br />
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Today it was back to basics, set #6, a plan from the accompanying booklet, built with deep pleasure & photographed with only the light from the windows.<br />
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Good Block PlayAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-5997528631534572902011-10-05T20:43:00.000-07:002011-10-05T20:43:38.262-07:00Logging In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL_5KzKPocc/To0i-a2jIoI/AAAAAAAAFFw/lF7HD5lMFtQ/s1600/PA057037-1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yL_5KzKPocc/To0i-a2jIoI/AAAAAAAAFFw/lF7HD5lMFtQ/s400/PA057037-1x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While doing a bit of uncluttering today, I ran across a plastic bag of Lincoln Logs. Not sure what set, and no instructions, so just built.<br />
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Nice little bit of therapeutic play in a difficult week.<br />
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<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=84">Lincoln Logs</a> are always Good Block Play.<br />
<br />Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-69914145523277844422011-09-27T16:26:00.000-07:002011-09-27T16:42:33.795-07:00Switchbotz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You say "tomato" and I say "Wedgits" ... the box says<i> <a href="http://switchbotz.com/"><b>Switchbotz</b></a></i> and I say "Hurrah!"<br />
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Longtime friends here know of my enduring affection for <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search/label/Wedgits">Wedgits</a> - I've built with them on the <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/10/beach-wedgits.html">beach</a>, in the <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/11/stump-wedgits.html">woods</a>, in the <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/01/hospital-wedgits.html">hospital</a>, in the <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2010/08/ghost-wedgits.html">dark</a>. I like <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search/label/Wedgits">Wedgits.</a><br />
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Today, as I often do, I visited my <a href="http://www.toptentoys.com/">favorite neighborhood toy store</a> (Seattle's best toy store! I got <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search/label/Melvin">Melvin</a> there. But not to be confused with my <a href="http://mathnificent.com/store/">favorite math toy store</a>, also widely considered Seattle's best toy store), and I spotted on a shelf a long way from where Wedgits are usually stacked ... something that looked like ... must be ... yes! <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=80">Mini-Wedgits</a>! ... but under a different name?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4NyDJhBpYs/ToJUO11QzAI/AAAAAAAAFFo/C1gF6-J7Bec/s1600/201109272633-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4NyDJhBpYs/ToJUO11QzAI/AAAAAAAAFFo/C1gF6-J7Bec/s200/201109272633-1.jpg" width="106" /></a>The box said Switchbotz several places, but never a mention of Wedgits - but there was the name "Imagability," the folks behind Wedgits, and close examination of the sample models (in metallic gray & red & blue (not sure if the red or blue was metallic) with the familiar Wedgits logo embossed in each familiar piece. So as far as I was concerned these were my dear old friends under a new alias & in new colors.<br />
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New colors are sometimes all it takes. I brought a "Carbonite Series" set home, partly because I had just looked at the "Titanium Series" pieces in real life & seriously NEEDED to see the other new colors in real life, partly because they seemed like "Fall colors" & today was a wonderful Seattle early Fall day, and partly because sometimes some of with Autism Spectrum Disorders need mellower colors.<br />
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I am delighted. They are great. Now what would be really fun is if someone would go to my <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=0">BlockPlay Store</a>, and buy some <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=271">Switchbotz</a> - except as I write this, Amazon doesn't have any, so <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=271">neither does my store</a>. But at some point, I am sure Amazon will have some for sale, and then the links in this paragraph will let you buy <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=271">Switchbots</a> or <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=23">Wedgits</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/site-directory?ie=UTF8&ref_=topnav_sad&ie=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">anything else Amazon has</a>, including <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gift-cards/b?ie=UTF8&node=2238192011&ref_=sd_allcat_gc&_encoding=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">gift cards</a>.<br />
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I may not make a lot of money off the <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=0">BlockPlay Store</a>, and if you count the construction sets I buy as a "business cost," then the "business" probably spends at least ten times what it makes. But I enjoy seeing what readers here click on & sometimes buy (I have no way of knowing who is clicking or buying so I don't feel guilty about snooping), and I enjoy seeing if there are enough purchases by the end of the month to bump up the commission rate, or if the cumulative earnings by the end of the month will get me an Amazon credit the next month. And yes, I actually do enjoy getting $10 or $15 or sometimes even $40 to spend on Amazon.com. In fact, I do a little dance and go "Woo hoo! Big bucks!"<br />
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But too much on that. Mostly, I wanted you to know that I had fun today, and hope you will have fun from the stuff I blog about.<br />
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Oh - and Imagability has a <i><b> </b></i><a href="http://switchbotz.com/">Switchbotz web page,</a> and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Imagability-Switchbotz/100002027108738">Switchbotz Facebook page</a> - not much on either one as I write, but surely there will be more soon. Maybe we should tell them we want glow-in-the-dark <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween.html">Ghost Wedgits</a>?<br />
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Switchbotz or <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/10/ghost-wedgits.html">Ghost Wedgits</a>, we have good block play.<br />
<br />Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-66919240069979306132011-09-22T12:40:00.000-07:002011-09-22T12:40:57.332-07:00Lodomo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://kvack.blogspot.com/search/label/melvin">Melvin</a> & I were playing <a href="http://kvack.blogspot.com/2011/09/dominoes.html">dominoes</a> this morning, when Melvin got bored & started building things with the dominoes, so we decided to get out a block set.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4fWE-v_jlJ0/Tnt8DIMtolI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/HGDeCi6oLbg/s1600/P9227023-2r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4fWE-v_jlJ0/Tnt8DIMtolI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/HGDeCi6oLbg/s200/P9227023-2r.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since I've been reading about British railways quite a bit lately, we chose a <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search/label/Lott%27s">Lott's</a> Lodomo set, and built the railway Signal Cabin from the instruction sheet.<br />
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Earlier this year, I got rather involved in studying <a href="http://www.searshomes.org/">Sears Houses</a> & their ilk, long a sideline of my interest in Vernacular Architecture, it finally got primary attention. While you can model such houses from <a href="http://www.branchline-trains.com/laserart_structures/residential/residential_ho.html">kits</a>, they are a bit tougher to build from blocks, a contributing factor in my quietness in this blog for a while.<br />
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For the best starter book on enjoying Sears Houses, I strongly recommend Rosemary Thornton's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596299398/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1596299398">Sears Homes of Illinois</a> - even if you live further from Illinois than I do in Seattle, this book still has the best information and images for helping you see what the houses in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&x=23&ref_=nb_sb_noss&y=15&field-keywords=Sears%20houses&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&_encoding=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Sears catalogs</a> can look like today.<br />
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I'm not claiming that mill-cut house kits were a kind of Block Play, but maybe they're distant cousins?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0747808155/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0747808155" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wiFfKLQ3L._SS500_.jpg" width="200" /></a>For me though, I'll look for catalog houses while I am driving around, but at home my constructions will be closer to Melvin's scale.<br />
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Lodomo is great fun, and there's even a fine little book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0747808155/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0747808155">Building Toys</a> with history & color pictures of the various kinds of Lott's sets, as well as several other types of British building sets.<br />
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Good Block PlayAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-33866771532946853882011-07-10T12:13:00.000-07:002011-07-10T12:19:27.202-07:00Tofa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFA8lROOI2I/Thn6iNyRmWI/AAAAAAAAFDM/M3az6P2TRN0/s1600/P7106950-2s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFA8lROOI2I/Thn6iNyRmWI/AAAAAAAAFDM/M3az6P2TRN0/s400/P7106950-2s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627804675099171170" border="0" /></a>I do love old blocks. Tumble-finished wood from either side of the Czech-German border is especially nice. This small set is Czech.<br /><br />Good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-74438230977912021552011-07-07T16:50:00.000-07:002011-07-07T16:50:26.839-07:00Peg Blox<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXJ5l-GZ47E/ThZGGuRk2RI/AAAAAAAAFC0/c6glqNHIBM8/s1600/P7076949r_Nz-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXJ5l-GZ47E/ThZGGuRk2RI/AAAAAAAAFC0/c6glqNHIBM8/s400/P7076949r_Nz-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626761865760921874" border="0" /></a><br />Peg Blox were made by Lincoln Logs in the era they were part of Playskool. More or less a unit-block variation with TinkerToy-like holes and dowels to hold them together & build various objects.<br /><br />I've had an incomplete set for some time, missing several blocks, all of the dowels, and the instruction sheet.<br /><br />I recently came across an instruction sheet image that I was able read well enough to find out what lengths & quantities of dowels came with the set.<br /><br />Even with my recent excursions into doing things with noisy, mentally disruptive power tools, I wasn't going to make a whole bunch of carefully measured dowels all at once.<br /><br />But using an <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000BQT3VK">Easy Cutter</a>, I was able to make enough dowels in proper lengths to build several of the models, and be confident that I could cut more as needed, without having to wait for a power tool acceptance period or go through a lot of rigmarole. Pretty nifty.<br /><br />The cuts weren't entirely entirely square, but good enough for this.<br /><br />I cut. I built. I photographed.<br /><br />Good Block PlayAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-9221367569480484282011-07-02T20:27:00.000-07:002011-07-02T20:27:00.860-07:00Craft-stick CoinStruction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsouH7HllhI/Tg-ZD45WXNI/AAAAAAAAFBo/VOPM3alpo84/s1600/DSCF0681-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nsouH7HllhI/Tg-ZD45WXNI/AAAAAAAAFBo/VOPM3alpo84/s400/DSCF0681-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624882751700622546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=39">CoinStruction</a> sets were introduced several years ago with the gimmick of using coins as the construction elements, held together by a variety of clips that were the only elements, aside from instructions for the models, inside the boxes.<br /><br />At four bits for a package of fifty, pennies are cheap, if you are looking for sturdy little disks, but even then, kids might abscond with them. Using dimes & quarters, recommended for some structural positions in the instruction I have, seems to just cry out for filching.<br /><br />Besides, I felt that they made unattractive models. They looked all fuzzy from the density of clips, and the coins esthetically detracted, rather than enhanced.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oRT1QSvjYw/Tg-k1rvA0_I/AAAAAAAAFCI/Kv527wXLu30/s1600/P7026948-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2oRT1QSvjYw/Tg-k1rvA0_I/AAAAAAAAFCI/Kv527wXLu30/s200/P7026948-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624895701788972018" border="0" /></a>I bought a set when a local store had them on clearance. Partially because I thought I shouldn't condemn them without giving them a fair try, partially because I thought the little clips ought to be good for something, even if their advertised purpose was dumb.<br /><br />My actual experiments with building with coins impressed me little, and I set the CoinStruction set aside for potential use as clips - and more or less forgot about them.<br /><br />The other day, I ran across a building toy called <a href="http://www.tomtect.com/">TomTecT</a>, from the <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=15">Kapla</a> folks. Consisting of Kapla-like sticks and clips to hold them in various relations to won another. Intriguing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k8D2y_eAWE8/Tg-myb8g8qI/AAAAAAAAFCU/gfsva2-dSXk/s1600/P7026946-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k8D2y_eAWE8/Tg-myb8g8qI/AAAAAAAAFCU/gfsva2-dSXk/s200/P7026946-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624897845034283682" border="0" /></a>Eventually I recalled CoinStruction, tracked it down, and explored various options for the sticks. I experimented with various things, including 100% post-consumer recycled Popsicle sticks, and concluded that most worked just fine, but that the latter would make the best cheap bridge components, in their commercial bulk guise of "<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=237">craft sticks</a>." About as cheap as pennies in the local dollar store. Cheaper for a box of a thousand at the craft store, but my calculations were that 50-100 would do my bridge.<br /><br />They did.<br /><br />I like the result.<br /><br />So basically, with the clips from CoinStruction, using four of the six different shapes, and a small package of craft sticks, I have a fine new construction set.<br /><br />Not an emulation of TomTecT - the <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=39">CoinStruction</a> clips differ greatly in geometries available. But good fun anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QC8VGk71RgA/Tg-k1S7VE3I/AAAAAAAAFCA/rhq4ev9xCE8/s1600/P7026945-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QC8VGk71RgA/Tg-k1S7VE3I/AAAAAAAAFCA/rhq4ev9xCE8/s200/P7026945-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624895695129744242" border="0" /></a>As many <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/search/label/bridge">bridges</a> as I have built with a good many different type of construction set, I learned something new about bridge engineering from building with Craft-sticks+Coinstruction: in general, our models tend to be too strong, at best letting us only explore a single type of structural weakness at a time. CS+C modeled some new weaknesses in joints and gave me some new insights.<br /><br />Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-84275447157945478352011-06-27T18:36:00.000-07:002011-06-27T18:36:35.468-07:00Mobaco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt5dC2KPsuA/TgksaYfqYXI/AAAAAAAAFA8/A6xSXePsRGQ/s1600/P6276937-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt5dC2KPsuA/TgksaYfqYXI/AAAAAAAAFA8/A6xSXePsRGQ/s400/P6276937-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623074441512247666" border="0" /></a>Hurrah! I made the additional slotted blocks for my sparse sampler of <a href="http://mobaco.50webs.com/home.htm">Mobaco</a>, as I mentioned in my <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/06/fischertechnik.html">last post</a>, and I am quite pleased with<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKbft1iswmM/Tgkr2quLJtI/AAAAAAAAFAc/3MzmlNRgvWU/s1600/P6276943-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 102px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKbft1iswmM/Tgkr2quLJtI/AAAAAAAAFAc/3MzmlNRgvWU/s320/P6276943-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623073827929663186" border="0" /></a> how Mobaco works, with cardboard wall pieces & such sliding into grooved wooden posts.<br /><br />Cardboard & wood. Great fun.<br /><br />The baseboard should be cardboard as well, apparently in an olive-green color, or tan in earlier editions. My substitute for the time being is 6mm craft foam (<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/search?node=213&keywords=foamies&x=6&y=13&preview=">Foamies</a>), of which the local craft store gave me a choice of red or black. An early project will be cutting a piece of green paper to go on top of the foam. Or painting the foam, if that works.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqMQ_ySY_yc/TgkrroSwPmI/AAAAAAAAFAU/ROOsA3YhWC4/s1600/P6276944-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqMQ_ySY_yc/TgkrroSwPmI/AAAAAAAAFAU/ROOsA3YhWC4/s320/P6276944-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623073638299221602" border="0" /></a>That <a href="http://mobaco.50webs.com/home.htm">Mobaco link</a> is to a fan site with much good information, including scans of older manuals. The prewar sets were much more extensive & built bigger buildings. Those sets seem to be rare & presumably expensive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhCqQ6q6Qck/TgksG7R-vuI/AAAAAAAAFAs/2tfaWorkKfQ/s1600/P6276939-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 139px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhCqQ6q6Qck/TgksG7R-vuI/AAAAAAAAFAs/2tfaWorkKfQ/s200/P6276939-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623074107252719330" border="0" /></a>But Mobaco pieces aren't cast in stone (or injected in plastic), they are made of materials that can be manipulated by a mildly clumsy person with home tools. One can even go with simpler substitutes, as my foam base - which may actually have an advantage over the factory bases, in that it grips the posts.<br /><br />I'm going to make some trial wall pieces from thin foam core, perhaps the self-adhesive, with stiffening card behind, the latter not necessarily with all the detail cuts.<br /><br />If one had one of the computer driven craft die <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQEIVRXVDY4/TgksSPiTCOI/AAAAAAAAFA0/qw4PszaJzWQ/s1600/P6276940-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gQEIVRXVDY4/TgksSPiTCOI/AAAAAAAAFA0/qw4PszaJzWQ/s200/P6276940-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623074301668428002" border="0" /></a>cutters, such as a <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000WOV83M">Cricut Expression</a>, but preferably a more versatile competitor, one could go to town and make the largest sets ever. Plus variations in color, window shapes, "brick" or "stone" walls, etc. I'm not sure that the Cricut itself can actually do what I want, having had brain fog from trying to figure out how to do it. There are a bunch of competitors, and looking at them gave me more brain fog.<br /><br />So for the time being, I'd just as soon do what I can with craft knives & paper cutters, which means easier-to-cut materials & small quantities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aga57ShIQ8g/TgksFONEX5I/AAAAAAAAFAk/IJi5xN-Z1_U/s1600/P6276938-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aga57ShIQ8g/TgksFONEX5I/AAAAAAAAFAk/IJi5xN-Z1_U/s200/P6276938-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623074077972651922" border="0" /></a>My first step is accomplished - I made enough posts & the base, so I could actually build. Next I make the missing wall panels, and extras so I don't have to match the originals too precisely, and can have adjacent pieces similar.<br /><br />There have been a bunch of different versions of the wall-pieces-in-slotted-posts genre (eg <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/06/kunstler-baukasten-architekt.html">Künstler-Baukasten Architekt</a>, <a href="http://www.architoys.net/toys/toypages/foxblox.html">Fox Blox</a>, etc).<br /><br />With the potential for homemade parts, one could use the others for inspiration and stay with Mobaco dimensional compatibility.<br /><br />Good fun. Good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-51252068241899797572011-06-25T15:59:00.000-07:002011-06-25T16:23:51.876-07:00Fischertechnik<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-da_vo1DJgzs/TgZkB6GqkBI/AAAAAAAAE_4/ZlXRuZPopFk/s1600/DSCF0672-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-da_vo1DJgzs/TgZkB6GqkBI/AAAAAAAAE_4/ZlXRuZPopFk/s400/DSCF0672-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622291168758501394" border="0" /></a>A nice little crane from the not-quite-recent fischertechnik Basic Mechanics set. The crane boom moves up & down by a screw drive between the pillar & the crank stand. The power is directed from the horizontal crankshaft to the vertical screw shaft by bevels gears.<br /><br />Seems like the set could be good for introducing kids to some basic mechanical processes. As I finshed it up & prepared to photograph it, I found myself wondering if the girls next door were old enough. It's not necessarily "their thing," but that might in itself be a good reason for them to spend some time working with a parent or two on something like this.<br /><br />I used to post on <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=1">fischertechnik</a> quite a bit, but it's been a couple of years or more. But I've between making replacement grooved blocks for <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/06/kunstler-baukasten-architekt.html">Künstler-Baukasten Architekt</a> set, and preparing to do the same thing for some <a href="http://mobaco.50webs.com/home.htm">Mobaco</a>, I've been thinking about slotted blocks quite a bit. That led me back to fischetechnik, which has a basic block form very similar to Mobaco's, but to entirely different effect.<br /><br />fischertechnik is good fun - I shouldn't have been neglecting it.<br /><br />Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-30801691414495064472011-06-21T17:25:00.000-07:002011-06-21T17:36:13.714-07:00Künstler-Baukasten Architekt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGjVAj-KQ5c/TgEyAJ9MT0I/AAAAAAAAE-8/F4Dh3GldfoE/s1600/P6216918-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGjVAj-KQ5c/TgEyAJ9MT0I/AAAAAAAAE-8/F4Dh3GldfoE/s400/P6216918-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620828788189056834" border="0" /></a>Old construction sets can be a delight. Especially old wooden construction sets. Especially German construction sets. One of the great joys of the Internet is that it has become so much easier to indulge esoteric interests such as this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeEVlQjADYg/TgEvU7foLjI/AAAAAAAAE98/STHwCMXizQ0/s1600/P6216923-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeEVlQjADYg/TgEvU7foLjI/AAAAAAAAE98/STHwCMXizQ0/s200/P6216923-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620825846549327410" border="0" /></a>One of the challenges of the Internet is that when one buys an old construction set through the familiar marketplaces, it is very likely to arrive incomplete & with broken pieces.<br /><br />I often plot out how to go about making replacement pieces, but often those require measures that are not currently available to me. We have a nice array of power tools in the basement, mostly purchased for, and well used by, my dear wife. But though I have the knowledge and experience to use them all, mostly I can't handle the noise & safety concerns. Doing something accurately & safely while exposed to that level of sensory overload is not often an option.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8qFV9IQM0/TgExHK2bJLI/AAAAAAAAE-o/BMTnNWk5kTs/s1600/P6216932-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8qFV9IQM0/TgExHK2bJLI/AAAAAAAAE-o/BMTnNWk5kTs/s200/P6216932-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620827809176560818" border="0" /></a>For a while I have been plotting how to make replacement parts for a particularly interesting set.<br /><br />This morning I went downstairs & made one. Cut the block out of a piece of scrap on the band-saw. Sanded it for size & smoothness on the bench sander. Cut slots in it with the table saw. Drilled holes in it with the drill press. (All these tools are smaller, model-builder sized, not big hulky things - but they are still noisy. And quite capable of injury.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Trgsn93Q5g/TgEvVH4n6hI/AAAAAAAAE-E/ihRSwNEO-O8/s1600/P6216924-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Trgsn93Q5g/TgEvVH4n6hI/AAAAAAAAE-E/ihRSwNEO-O8/s200/P6216924-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620825849875393042" border="0" /></a>It worked.<br /><br />I went off to therapy with my set & my proof-of-concept ("POC") block for show & tell.<br /><br />Put my POC & a sample from the set in my shirt pocket to go meet my daughter for lunch show & tell.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMfdlsis9z8/TgExGytA3vI/AAAAAAAAE-g/k2N8WAIV64s/s1600/P6216928-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMfdlsis9z8/TgExGytA3vI/AAAAAAAAE-g/k2N8WAIV64s/s200/P6216928-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620827802694639346" border="0" /></a>When I eventually got home, I made another, a "size 4" in contrast to the morning's "size 3" then built this building using them. They are the light-colored vertical blocks in the outside rear corners. The camera exaggerated the appearance difference, but I am still very happy with them.<br /><br />The set is rather nifty, dating from the late 1940s and coming from the area of the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany along the Czech border.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tahbjYzD9wg/TgE4VjN0y1I/AAAAAAAAE_Q/TDoOB3qSFEs/s1600/P6216931-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tahbjYzD9wg/TgE4VjN0y1I/AAAAAAAAE_Q/TDoOB3qSFEs/s200/P6216931-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620835752816724818" border="0" /></a>Neither of my primary references, the book <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3928127640/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=3928127640">Baukästen</a>, by Ulf Leinweber, or Joachim Kleindienst's <a href="http://www.baukastensammler.de/">JK BaukastenSammler</a> web site, had much to offer, merely a directory listing for "Künstler Baukasten," by "Werner Dietze."<br /><br />The set itself provided the location "Cranzahl, Erzgebirge," and that helped me get a wee bit more information by Googling. Not much though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZkGnSt2Yro/TgE4sNGPfqI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/uEs8HbiQBzQ/s1600/P6216933-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OZkGnSt2Yro/TgE4sNGPfqI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/uEs8HbiQBzQ/s200/P6216933-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620836142016331426" border="0" /></a>Intriguingly, browsing the Leinhaber book turned up a picture of "<span style="font-style: italic;">Haussers K</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ünstler Baukasten</span>" from a few decades earlier and with a similar construction technique, except Hausser's wall plates are lithographed sheet metal, instead of Dietze's varnished wood decorated with water-transfer decals.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ1LctgYCqs/TgEvVOcc8LI/AAAAAAAAE-M/5ZX_1V8MaMA/s1600/P6216930-1.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ1LctgYCqs/TgEvVOcc8LI/AAAAAAAAE-M/5ZX_1V8MaMA/s200/P6216930-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620825851636281522" border="0" /></a>I was well challenged getting this to go together, given some design flaws, documentation flaws, and my own personal flaws.<br /><br />But go together it did, and I am happy to have it. 12 of the lovely lithographed design sheets accompany the set. I look forward to building them all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFO97soe6e8/TgExHsNd-gI/AAAAAAAAE-w/UF8PXqSUdEs/s1600/P6216935-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 135px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFO97soe6e8/TgExHsNd-gI/AAAAAAAAE-w/UF8PXqSUdEs/s200/P6216935-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620827818131585538" border="0" /></a>Still a few more missing blocks to make first though. Or maybe as I go along.<br /><br />All in all, very good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-59921598831470738052011-06-01T12:51:00.000-07:002011-06-01T13:20:23.230-07:00Varis Architect 63<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUJfgW1S56I/TeaYqmXb_8I/AAAAAAAAE8I/ilRy-QITbMM/s1600/P6016856-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pUJfgW1S56I/TeaYqmXb_8I/AAAAAAAAE8I/ilRy-QITbMM/s400/P6016856-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613341843184680898" border="0" /></a>After my <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/04/varis-architect.html">first experience</a> with <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=107">Varis</a> Architect, I quickly ordered a larger set for further exploration and combining options.<br /><br />I decided the 87 piece set was probably too big for therapeutic use, so went for the 63.<br /><br />What arrived was the 87.<br /><br />The seller had a stock problem and substituted the 87, presumably assuming that I would be delighted with the generosity.<br /><br />Ah, well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKW4D4vsBM/TeaZoEh_RdI/AAAAAAAAE8U/EsstLfwWezw/s1600/varis_arch.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxKW4D4vsBM/TeaZoEh_RdI/AAAAAAAAE8U/EsstLfwWezw/s320/varis_arch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613342899254019538" border="0" /></a>It was too big for me to attempt anything with at the time, but today I got it out and managed to build a close approximation of the 63 piece model with a subset of the 87 pieces.<br /><br />At some point I will build the full 87 piece model - and it will probably be an easier build than trying to build the 63 piece model with the wrong assortment of pieces and no instruction sheet.<br /><br />But I really wanted to know if I had the pieces to build the 63 piece church, and building it was the only effective way to find out.<br /><br />More fun than damage, I think, though with my garbled brain, it's hard to tell.<br /><br />At some point I look forward to mixing everything together and building some cottages. Maybe a small village.<br /><br />Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-15354674375544816382011-05-29T13:01:00.000-07:002011-05-29T13:21:43.872-07:00GK-NS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAxOpxZt6Yo/TeKmxld_VXI/AAAAAAAAE7M/U2GWB9aynh8/s1600/P5296840-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fAxOpxZt6Yo/TeKmxld_VXI/AAAAAAAAE7M/U2GWB9aynh8/s400/P5296840-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231456458757490" border="0" /></a>The Ankerstein GK-NS, or <span style="font-style: italic;">Grosse Kaliber - Neue Serie </span>(large caliber - new series), are pretty much the same as our familiar GK-NF, or <span style="font-style: italic;">Grosse Kaliber - Neue Folge</span> (large caliber - new series), except for the large arches have a notch out of the upper corner. Sometimes that makes a difference, though not so much here, where the large arch isn't used.<br /><br />One small difference: in the boxes, the notches are filled with #19 stones. With those stones in place, the NS arch substitutes nicely for an NF arch; without them the NS arch provides some additional interesting options.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aR1uCLMEKAc/TeKmlhDwfVI/AAAAAAAAE7E/SVXrZLylxpE/s1600/gkns4-05r.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aR1uCLMEKAc/TeKmlhDwfVI/AAAAAAAAE7E/SVXrZLylxpE/s400/gkns4-05r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231249116560722" border="0" /></a>In this church, though, it is only the two extra #19 stones that are used, so if you only have a current Anchor #4 set, you can't build this as shown. I think my handful of readers either have multiple sets or no sets, so not a problem.<br /><br />Good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-79845431980126233712011-04-21T15:51:00.000-07:002011-04-21T15:51:46.418-07:00Varis Architect<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsXci0wMRBU/TbCrTTpjKFI/AAAAAAAAE3E/2jcwYwXSFwE/s1600/P4216785-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YsXci0wMRBU/TbCrTTpjKFI/AAAAAAAAE3E/2jcwYwXSFwE/s400/P4216785-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598162685001934930" border="0" /></a>For a number of years, I have coveted the log building sets from <a href="http://www.varis.lv/">Varis Toys of Latvia</a>, but was daunted by price & shipping costs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxNJbsJohIc/TbCpLlPMEoI/AAAAAAAAE2g/LmfIZOgeOiE/s1600/FireShot%2Bcapture%2B%2523185%2B-%2B%2527VARIS%2BArchitect%2B25%2527%2B-%2Bwww_varis_lv_catalog_product_info_php_cPath%253D24_29%2526products_id%253D59%2526osCsid%253D2clgfhihip18hbb2ucpic7uvo6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxNJbsJohIc/TbCpLlPMEoI/AAAAAAAAE2g/LmfIZOgeOiE/s200/FireShot%2Bcapture%2B%2523185%2B-%2B%2527VARIS%2BArchitect%2B25%2527%2B-%2Bwww_varis_lv_catalog_product_info_php_cPath%253D24_29%2526products_id%253D59%2526osCsid%253D2clgfhihip18hbb2ucpic7uvo6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598160353260999298" border="0" /></a>When Varis added the <a href="http://www.varis.lv/index.php/en/arhitect">Architect</a> line, I was even more intrigued, but still held off.<br /><br />But I finally broke down & ordered (via a <a href="http://desc.shop.ebay.com/hewco-retail-and-wholesale/m.html?LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=varis&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A4%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A4726&rt=nc&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1">UK seller on Ebay</a>) the smallest set, with just 25 pieces.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MV3FK9_04o/TbCrFdxKQBI/AAAAAAAAE20/3fNHO-A9f8w/s1600/P4206780-1_Nrf.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MV3FK9_04o/TbCrFdxKQBI/AAAAAAAAE20/3fNHO-A9f8w/s200/P4206780-1_Nrf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598162447200043026" border="0" /></a>It arrived yesterday, and is a delight.<br /><br />The pieces are 20mm pitch (a little over 3/4 inch), like the old Ankerstein Klein Kaliber. They are very well made, so are not to small for building small structures.<br /><br />These are not intended for the huge castles that advanced Anchor builders enjoy, but that is not their intent, nor does Varis offer the variety of block shapes that requires.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY9u1Y2bOaA/TbCrFn_WryI/AAAAAAAAE28/DPbORjJuAxE/s1600/P4206781-3.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kY9u1Y2bOaA/TbCrFn_WryI/AAAAAAAAE28/DPbORjJuAxE/s200/P4206781-3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598162449943932706" border="0" /></a>Yesterday I immediately built the small church illustrated on the box and diagrammed with layer plans on the excellent sheet included.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-417DmbCsDUI/TbCpMOu27JI/AAAAAAAAE2o/EjURYI7I0uw/s1600/P4216782-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-417DmbCsDUI/TbCpMOu27JI/AAAAAAAAE2o/EjURYI7I0uw/s200/P4216782-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598160364399684754" border="0" /></a>Today I pressed onward & built something freelance. Even with so few blocks, it is possible to create something interesting, especially if one has some experience building the 'facade' structures from the plan booklets of the smaller Anchor Stone sets.<br /><br />This structure is about 8 1/4 inches high, or about 21 cm. Not too shabby.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjPLhu3Bg-M/TbCxwAKr4lI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/gpbsC6YGK9I/s1600/FireShot%2Bcapture%2B%2523186%2B-%2B%2527VARIS%2BArchitect%2B63%2527%2B-%2Bwww_varis_lv_catalog_product_info_php_products_id%253D60%2526osCsid%253D2clgfhihip18hbb2ucpic7uvo6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjPLhu3Bg-M/TbCxwAKr4lI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/gpbsC6YGK9I/s200/FireShot%2Bcapture%2B%2523186%2B-%2B%2527VARIS%2BArchitect%2B63%2527%2B-%2Bwww_varis_lv_catalog_product_info_php_products_id%253D60%2526osCsid%253D2clgfhihip18hbb2ucpic7uvo6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598169775058182738" border="0" /></a>The block size has been used by other makers, so I may try adding a few blocks borrowed from other sets.<br /><br />But I am impressed enough that I have already ordered the next larger Varis Architect set, with 63 pieces.<br /><br />Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-1558480670233033692011-04-14T14:42:00.000-07:002011-04-14T17:17:20.841-07:00Vez s balkony<div id="vS5387995259087701" style="position:relative; overflow:hidden;"><a href="http://www.start3d.com/en/6214681759/0001/5387995259087701"><img onload="function Piku(t,n){var T=t,N=n,I=document.getElementById('i'+T),V=document.getElementById('v'+T).style,W=I.clientWidth/N,D=0,X=0,P='px';this.F=function(){X=Math.min(Math.max(X+D,0),N-1);D=(!X?1:X==N-1?-1:D);I.style.left=-W*(.0439+X)+P;setTimeout(T+'.F();',33*(5-X*(N-1-X)/N));};V.width=W*.912+P;V.height=I.clientHeight+P;this.F();};S5387995259087701 = new Piku('S5387995259087701',11);" id="iS5387995259087701" style="position:absolute;padding:0px;" src="http://www.start3d.com/uploads/6214681759/5387995259087701_composite.jpg?v=5" /></a></div><br />Third prize in that <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/03/most-s-vezemi.html">Czech Anchor contest</a> went to Petr Marek for this <span style="font-style:italic;">věž s balkóny</span>, or tower with balcony, again built with favorite Ankerstein Set #6. I don't seem to have printed out the second prize winner - I vaguely recall that it wasn't shown & I haven't found the contest again on the web pages to confirm. I think the contest is now gone.<br /><br />The image above may hurt your eyes, or may be the best way yet for me to post stereographs from my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZHV70M?ie=UTF8&tag=blockplay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003ZHV70M">3D camera</a>. Click on it for some more 3D viewing options. Please comment here if you have an opinion about these. I'm rather curious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnghcDjzplA/TadpUi5L5gI/AAAAAAAAE1s/h7uDkuyiyU8/s1600/DSCF0603_Nx.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnghcDjzplA/TadpUi5L5gI/AAAAAAAAE1s/h7uDkuyiyU8/s200/DSCF0603_Nx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595556863716091394" border="0" /></a>The image at left is for those who want something that sits still long enough to look at. Here, the usual rule of 'click for a large view' applies. Sorry it is so similar to the above.<br /><br />Whatver the image, however you look at it, the Anchor Stones gave me good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-4752204988747441632011-03-26T21:49:00.000-07:002011-03-27T07:52:07.218-07:00Earth Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfPLELqlBUc/TY7CcNveNsI/AAAAAAAAE0k/nao3yJFVuHE/s1600/P3266756-2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pfPLELqlBUc/TY7CcNveNsI/AAAAAAAAE0k/nao3yJFVuHE/s400/P3266756-2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588617977594263234" border="0" /></a>For Earth Day, we participated in the 8:30-9:30 pm "lights out," getting by with two candles, the occasional cell phone screen or pocket flashlight.<br /><br />I dismantled yesterday's <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/03/most-s-vezemi.html">Czech bridge</a> & put stones back in box according to the packing plan. I think it would have taken more candles to actually build something.<br /><br />Then I did some construction with <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2009/11/froebel-gift-3.html">Froebel Gift #3</a> blocks. That worked, even though the candle wasn't very close.<br /><br />I spent the rest of the hour taking pictures with only candlelight illumination. The shutter speed was 15 seconds, handheld. It turned out the biggest problem was lack of contrast - particularly the lack of shadows.<br /><br />I could have gotten a better picture by moving the nearer candle down from the mantle to sit on a book or two next to my construction. But then, that wasn't the point.<br /><br />Maybe the point was that you don't need a lot of light to have good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-59614120007548549822011-03-25T15:32:00.000-07:002011-04-14T14:50:29.914-07:00Most s vezemi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX9wKDncP6U/TY0X_VHYV4I/AAAAAAAAEz4/QSlu1H9W9x0/s1600/P3256750_N-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX9wKDncP6U/TY0X_VHYV4I/AAAAAAAAEz4/QSlu1H9W9x0/s400/P3256750_N-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588149089403950978" border="0" /></a>With my limited Czech, and some help from the Czech-German dictionary I keep next to my desk, <span style="font-style: italic;">most s věžemi</span> is "bridge with towers." I downloaded the page this picture was on from the <a href="http://www.anchor.cz/">Czech Anchor</a> site quite some time ago, where it won <span style="font-style: italic;">1. misto</span> (first prize), for Miroslav Koutný, in a contest. Well deserved - it may be the nicest bridge built with Ankerstein that I have ever seen, especially if one gives extra credit, as I do, for it being built with Set 6, and without hard-to-find/expensive metal bridge parts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TW0aby-ZI4s/TY0X1Obz07I/AAAAAAAAEzw/y4yvdYdcZHs/s1600/P3256743-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TW0aby-ZI4s/TY0X1Obz07I/AAAAAAAAEzw/y4yvdYdcZHs/s200/P3256743-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588148915811898290" border="0" /></a>So it was a good build to celebrate my having been told that my leukemia is officially in remission.<br /><br />Earlier today I had a nice walk in sun-dappled woods, up hill & down, taking (3-D) photographs like mad. I logged a <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">Geocache</a>, too. First such almost-hike since before I went to the doctor last fall with swollen ankles, beginning my cancer odyssey.<br /><br />And on celebratory topics, thank you to whomever has been using my Amazon-hosted <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20">Block Play Store</a>, to buy expensive software packages. Commissions (buy anything on Amazon, at no extra cost to the buyer), even if not yet received, are generally happy surprises - and these may have contributed to my quick recovery from chemo.<br /><br />Anchor Stone builders will find more cause for celebration on that same <a href="http://www.anchor.cz/">Czech Anchor</a> site: new since my last visit are theme constructions for Jules Verne, the Three Musketeers (<span style="font-style: italic;">Tři mušketýři</span>), and pirates!<br /><br />Check them out on the red buttons, or just browse the site randomly. There are lots of inspirations for good block play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-67604374007381984852011-02-19T12:07:00.000-08:002011-02-19T12:47:18.632-08:00Architecto<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-en4l5neEjLU/TWAjGGL1JqI/AAAAAAAAEwc/gE7m3fuMjRw/s1600/P2196735_Ng-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-en4l5neEjLU/TWAjGGL1JqI/AAAAAAAAEwc/gE7m3fuMjRw/s400/P2196735_Ng-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575494926331094690" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000PHQLME" target="_blank">Foxmind's Architecto</a> is a <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?node=57&page=1">challenge block</a> set, a three-dimensional verson of Tangrams, similar to <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000NJIPH8" target="_blank">MindWare's Blik-Blok</a>, subject of <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/02/blik-blok.html">my previous post</a>.<br /><br />Compared to Blik Blok, Architecto, has fewer blocks, has fewer challenge designs, the blocks are plastic instead of wood, and it costs more.<br /><br />So why do I overwhelmingly recommend Architecto? Because it is simply superior to Blik Blok, with fewer if any errors, much better production quality. Blik-Blok's copyright is a year later than Architecto's, so one suspects that Mindware simply decided to release a similar product that sounds and looks better on the shrink-wrapped box, insisting on undercutting the price no matter the effect on product quality. But maybe they simply had bad luck to be second and are doing the best they can as to quality<br /><br />Architecto is great fun, the blocks have good feel and desity, and are very precisely sized and shaped - a very important factor for this kind of play.<br /><br />In addition to Architecto, with it's emphasis on 3-D constructions, all of which are shown in perspective view, in the same series and using the same blocks, are three additional sets, also available as separate books:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000PHSGFY">Cliko</a>,which shows the constructions in flat views from the side<br /></li><li><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000PHNBFO">Equilibrio</a>, which provides balance challanges similar to <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000BNEOG2">Haba's Time Blocks</a>, which some might prefer because it has very nice wood block pieces and provides game play elements - I have aquired mulitple used sets of Time Blocks just for the wooden blocks, for symmetrical bloc play/pattern play</li><li><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000PHSEPQ"></a><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000PHNBTU">Tangramino</a>, which provides two-dimensional designs even more similar to <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=56">Tangrams</a>.</li></ul>All of these Foxmind sets are <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?node=57&page=1">available </a>as books only or blocks+book - either way the cost adds up, but the long term value is there, and an extra set of blocks can be used for competitive (or simply simultaneous) play, or to make sure that a lost block doesn't spoil play.<br /><br />Top quality product. Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13444990.post-40908576680871472012011-02-19T11:57:00.000-08:002011-02-19T13:10:21.651-08:00Blik Blok<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDuIOBB3MA0/TWAfzDt70MI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/IQ-6LpZjB-0/s1600/P2196733_Ng-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDuIOBB3MA0/TWAfzDt70MI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/IQ-6LpZjB-0/s400/P2196733_Ng-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575491300716433602" border="0" /></a>Many of the examples from the block sets which provide such things provide not just marketing examples or construction encouragement, but also provide some degree of challenge as the builder attempts to figure out how the construction actually goes together.<br /><br />Sometimes that is inadvertent, but sometimes as with <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000NJIPH8">MindWare's Blik-Blok</a>, the <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?node=57&page=1">block building challenge</a> is the actual purpose of the set. One is given an example. ala <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=56">Tangrams</a>, and told what pieces to use to build it. The solution is on the back of the card.<br /><br />Unfortunately, concept doesn't live up to implementation in my Blik Blok set, but it is dated 2006, and maybe Mindware has corrected the plethora of errors in the cards, maybe Mindware has corrected the poor sizing and quality of the blocks.<br /><br />Even if they have, I think I would prefer <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/blockplaystore-20/detail/B000PHQLME">Foxmind's Architecto</a>, the subject of my <a href="http://blockplay.blogspot.com/2011/02/architecto.html">next post</a>.<br /><br />If you absolutely must have wood, instead of Architecto's high quality & extremely accurate plastic, you might want to choose Blik Blok. Otherwise, I only recommend it for those who want both and are willing to struggle past the problems.<br /><br />One might note also that the cards aren't numbered. Numbers are useful in the classroom, and their absence stopped me from listing errata.<br /><br />You do get more designs, and more different block shapes - though both of which may will convince you that more is not necessarily better, though they ARE interesting, in a way.<br /><br />At its worst, Blik Blok is irritating.<br /><br />But at its best, it is Good Block Play.Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11040774790050777890noreply@blogger.com0