Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Review: Pantasy 86817 Garfield Popsicle Fridge Magnet

I've bought a few of Pantasy's licensed sets but this is the first one I've reviewed.  My local Newbury Comics carries them as does Miniso.  For some reason they don't list the parts count anywhere so I had to do a manual count.  (I saw one online source listing it at 47 pieces but -- counting the Instructions and Stickers, which is what Lego does -- I get 50 pieces.)


Box.  MSRP is $19.99
, for a $0.40 Price per Piece.  I paid $10.99 at Newbury Comics, for a $0.22 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.















Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  Sticky Magnet.



Parts 2.  Garfield's Face.









Parts 3.  Bricks, Plates, Tiles, Arches, 1x1 Brick w/Axle Hole, Bricks
w/Studs on Side, 1x2 Brick w/Axle Hole, Curved Bricks w/Cutout,
Inverted Arches, Double Sided Plates, Axle, and Inverted Tile.


Build.  A Station and 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  I like the Medium Azure and the Tan Axle.  But the Price per Piece is really bad.  
The score for the price I paid is -5 (B-).

Monday, December 22, 2025

Review: 30687 Bluey Tea Party Polybag

Let's take a moment away from the Christmas sets and do one last new new for 2025 polybag review.  I picked this up at Walmart.  It was in a midway display filled with other stocking stuffers -- so it's kinda Christmas-y.  I've also seen it at Barnes & Noble.


Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.15 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.











Minifig.




Parts.  Plate, Half Circle Plate, Round Plates, Fence,
Bricks, Corrugated Round Bricks, Grille Tiles, Double
Large Jumper, Round Large Jumpers, Round Plates w/3
Leaves, Dome Bottom, Tile, Round Plates w/5 Petals,
Swirl Top Plates, Minifig Tea Cups, Minifig Cupcake Liner,
Minifig Teapot, Minifig Tea Saucers, Plant Stems w/3 Leaves,
Cone, Printed Minifig Head, and Minifig Watering Can.
 



Build.  Two 1 Hit pieces of Cover and a Station.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  I know this is a licensed set -- and a 4+ at that -- but still, c'mon Lego do better.

Friday, December 19, 2025

Review: Brickcraft 72578BFS Bricktanicals Amaryllis

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas Bricktanicals.  They're doing it again this year but with some tweaks and upgrades.  Let's take a week and review them.


Box.  MSRP is $5.99
, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.  I paid $4.97 at Walmart, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Instructions.










Parts 1.  Axle.  I'm not sure why
It wasn't just loose in the box.









Parts 2. 10x4 Leaves w/Clips, Plates w/Angular Extension, Plates, Double Slopes, Bar Plates, Large Round Jumper, Axle Connector w/Clips, Inverted Tiles, Axles, Axle Connectors, Barrel Hinge w/1 Finger, Barrel Hinge w/2 Fingers, 1L Liftarm, Apollo Studs, Minifig Skates, Minifig Whips, Bar, Octagonal Bar Plate, and Steering Wheel.


Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8 [arm blades] 2W).

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  The Duo Tone Leaves are neat.  That is a really Dark Red.  
The score for the price I paid is +15 (A).

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Review: Brickcraft 72577BFS Bricktanicals Pointsettia

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas Bricktanicals.  They're doing it again this year but with some tweaks and upgrades.  Let's take a week and review them.


Box.  MSRP is $5.99
, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.  I paid $4.97 at Walmart, for a $0.09 Price per Piece.

Instructions.













Parts.  6x4 Leaves w/Bar, 5x4 Leaves w/Clip, Octagonal Bar
Plates, 5x3 Leaves w/Clip, Round Plates, Round Large Jumper,
Axle Connectors, Axle w/Axle Connector, Barrel Hinge w/1
Finger, Barrel Hinge w/2 Fingers, Axle Connectors w/Clips, Axles,
Round Plates w/Petal Edges, Robot Arms, and Plant Stem w/Bar.



Build.  Two proto-Frames (2W).

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (A+).  I think Monday's review is a better set but I like the Leaves in this set.  
The score for the price I paid is +20 (A+).

Monday, December 15, 2025

Review: Brickcraft 72579BFS Bricktanicals Mistletoe

Last year, Brickcraft released a series of Christmas Bricktanicals.  They're doing it again this year but with some tweaks and upgrades.  Let's take a week and review them.


Box.  MSRP is $5.99
, for a $0.07 Price per Piece.
I paid $4.97 at Walmart, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.













Parts.  Pearlescent Translucent 6x4 Leaves, Bag Tag Ring, Flower Sprues, Large Ball Joints, Metallic Wedge Plates, Metallic Plates, Metallic Tiles w/Studs on Edge, Translucent Plant Stems, Metallic Round Tile, Metallic Large Stadium tile, Metallic Quarter Circle Plates, Metallic Brick w/Pinhole, Metallic Macaroni Tiles, Metallic Double Inverted Slope w/Cutout, Metallic Plates w/Pinhole, Translucent Bar Bar Holders, Translucent Clip Bar Holders, Translucent Candlesticks, Translucent Round Plates w/Flower Petals, Translucent Clip Plates, Half Pins, Translucent Bars, and Translucent Palm Tree Top.





Build 1.  Frame (2W).





Build 2.  Frame (2W).  Cannot be
built at the same time as Build 1.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  Very similar to last year's version but, with a few new parts and a metallic coating on others.  I really like it and I'll be buying at least one more.  
The score for the price I paid is +20 (A+).

Friday, December 12, 2025

Review: BLDR 0093 Squishmallow Reginald at the Movies

This is one of the second wave of releases from BLDR.  I jumped on this one right away because it has some interesting, and useful, pieces in what looks to be Pearl Gold.


Box.  MSRP is $9.99
, for a $0.08 Price per Piece. 

Instructions.










Parts 1.  This is the "squishy belly"
piece for the "minifig" of the set.






Parts 2.  Loose in Box.  Wedge
Plates, and Bricks.



Parts 3.  Curved Bricks, Printed Curved Brick, Printed 2x2x2 Box,
1x1x3 Brick, Printed Studless Slopes, Printed Tile, Double Curved
Slope w/Cutout, Printed Brick, Plates, Bricks w/Studs on Corners,
Double  Jumpers, Jumper, Minifig Ice Cream Scoops, Brick, Macaroni 
Tiles, Corner Tiles w/Cutout, Translucent Grille Tiles, Cones, Mod.
Bricks 1x2x2/3 w/Studs on Sides & Stud Receptacle, Minifig Fezes,
Inkwells, Studs w/Bar, Chain, Bar Ball Joints, Quarter Circle Tiles,
Small Steering Wheels, Figure Ears w/Bar, and Shaped Tiles.




Parts 4.  Quarter Circle Plates, Door Frame, Printed Half Dome,
Bricks w/Studs on Side, Bricks, Half Dome, Inverted Slope, Printed
Tiles, Window, Curved Slope w/Hole & Plate, Plates, Tail, Double
Jumper, Tile, Clip Plate, Padlock, Double Brackets, 1x1x2/3 Brick
w/Studs on Side, Double Curved Slope w/Cutout, Squish Holder
Panel, Modified Tile w/Inverted Slope, Printed Figure Ears w/Bar.


Parts 5. Printed Panel, Quarter Oval Plates, Corner Wall w/o
Bottom Indentations, Plates, Curved Slope w/Plate, and Bricks.


Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras+d8[guns] 1B
[armor]).  Systems are Pearl Gold.
 




The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  This box was packed tight with pieces.  I'm going to have fun incorporating some of these parts into the Owen's Crossing table-setting.  All those pieces in Pearl Gold are nice.  As much as I like all the parts and colors I think this is a parts set rather than a build one.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Review: Lele Brother 9106-1 Parasaurolophus

Unlike the first Lele Brother set review, the rest of the ones I've purchased from Miniso are small, like this one.  I got the set name from my receipt.  Which is also on the sticker on the bottom of the box, which I didn't notice until I was breaking down the box.  There are nine other sets in this series.  They can all be combined into a giant build.


Box.  MSRP is $1.99
, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.




The instructions were in
the bag with the parts.









Parts.  Studless Slopes, Clip Plates, Padlock, Bar Plate, Printed
Round Tiles, Plates, Jumpers, Inverted Studless Slope, Cheese
Slopes, Tile, Brackets, and Bricks w/Studs on Opposite Sides.



Build.  Frame (2W).

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  No.  (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  This has some good colors but the parts count holds it back.

Monday, December 8, 2025

Review: Block Tech Block Bouquet Black Rose

After finding last Monday's review, I "raided" a few more Marshalls stores to see what else was available.  I found this set at the third store.  It's different from this year's and last year's, which makes me wonder if RMS is making different sets for different distribution channels.  Again, according to the date of manufacture on the bottom of the box, this was made earlier this year.  There's also no individual set number.  Let's give it a review.


Box.  MSRP is
 $4.99, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.














Parts 1.  Axles, Notched Round Plate, Octagonal Bar Plates,
Inverted Tiles, Double Studless Slopes, Plates, Studless
Slopes, Angled Axle/Pin Connector, and Ball Joint Plates.






Parts 2. Quarter Circle Studless Slopes, Double Curved Wedges
 (Right), Double Curved Wedges (Left), Tiles, Large Cheese
Slopes w/Studs, Axle, Curved Slopes w/Wing End, Axle/
Pin Connectors, Travis Brick, Round Plates, and Clip Claws.
 




Parts 3.  Unlike the prior two versions, this has a third parts bag.
Rounded Clip Plates, Ball Joint Pins, Axle Connectors, Bushings, Brackets, Axle, Half Pins, Tooth Plates, Studless Slopes, Wedge Studless Slopes, Inverted Studless Slopes, Gear, Horn, and Round Large Jumper.

Build.  Two Frames (2W), and Station.
 
The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  It's a good starter kit but, like last Monday's review, I'm not sure how available these sets will be.

Friday, December 5, 2025

Review: Make-It Blocks Flower 2.5

Earlier this year I reviewed a group of Make-It Blocks flower sets.  I'd seen mention of other sets in this release on Reddit but hadn't actually seen any in stores.  I was shopping for other items in Dollar Tree the other night and I stumbled across this.  It has the same parts count but there are a lot of differences from the last time I reviewed the set.


Box. MSRP is $1.75, for a $0.02 Price per Piece.

Instructions.















Parts 1.  8x3 Palm Leaves, Flower Petals w/Clip, Octagonal Bar Plate,
Steering Wheel, Round Palate w/4 Petals, Round Large Jumper, Dish,
Plates, Ball Joint Plates, Round Plates, and Bricks w/Stud on Side.





Parts 2.  Tiles, Inkwell, Wedge Studless Slopes, Plates, Cheese
Slopes, Brackets, Flower w/Bar, Round Plates, Ball Joint Plates,
Bars, Clip Claws, Axle & Pin Connector, and Round Bricks.



Build.  Frame (2W), Station,
and 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away? Yes. (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? Below. (+5) (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? Yes. (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? Yes. (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  The Flower Petals w/Clips are similar to ones in a Block Tech set I reviewed a little while ago.  It also looks like they've gone back to 1x2 Female Ball Joint Plates.  Which is kinda disappointing.  You can build the same amount of things with this version of the set but I think there are less interesting parts.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Review: Lele Brother 8858 Space Shuttle

This is something new from Miniso.  From what I can tell the store has always sourced from multiple companies, sometimes putting their label on the box.  The most recent set of releases -- I have other smaller sets that I haven't reviewed yet -- hasn't though.


Box.  MSRP is $3.99
, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.




The stickers were packed in the main parts bag.









Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  2x2x10 Type 4 Triangular Girder.





Parts 2.  Plates, Wedge Plates, Cones, Round Bricks, Mudguard
Brick, Tail, Bricks w/Pinhole, Round Bricks w/Pinholes, Round
Plates, Dish, Studless Slopes, Dome, Translucent Curved Slope,
Bricks w/Studs on Sides, Jumpers, Tiles, Grille Tile, Padlocks,
Bar Plate (closed ends), Clip Plates, Cheese Graters, Clip Tiles,
Pins, Bar Plate (open ends), Brackets, Tap, and Antenna.


Build.  IO Escort Frigate (2Rpd/2B) [Systems
are White and Dark Bley.] and HVA.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  
(The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  A good selection of useful parts and some fun colors.