Isabelle van Vleuten

How old are you? 44

Which country are you from? Germany

What is your role at the LEGO® Group? Model Designer in LEGO Botanicals

How did you get into building with LEGO bricks, especially building your own creations? The first flower bouquet (10280) got me back into building LEGO as an adult. Once I started building my own creations, I fell deeply in love with building LEGO models. Three months after starting to build LEGO models again, I published my first instructions on Rebrickable.

What kind of creations do you love building the most, and why? Building animals is what I enjoy most. Giving them character by how bricks are connected is a fun puzzle to solve.

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring LEGO builders, what would it be? Don’t overthink it. Build what you have in mind. Then take a step back and rebuild it until it feels right.

How does it feel to have your work exhibited here at LEGO House - Home of the Brick? While in the hiring process to become a LEGO designer I visited the LEGO House for the first time. I admired the work in the Masterpiece Gallery and told myself that if I didn’t get the job as a LEGO Designer I would work hard to exhibit in LEGO House one day. When this opportunity came up, I was over the moon and both of my dreams came true.

Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website or social media profile that you can share? www.instagram.com/isibricks/

Title Friends since 1989

Can you describe your model and what it represents? After Captain Redbeard returned to LEGO House in 2023 the friends began a new tradition.

Every year during the holiday season, they return to Billund, Denmark, to spend time together. During their visit, they have time to catch up and bake delicious Holiday cookies. Monkey is the only one who bakes, Shark mainly loves to eat, and Parrot contributes to the cozy atmosphere with Holiday carols.

Captain Redbeard can't be there the whole time; he has to be at the LEGO House shop during the day, but he joins the festivities after closing time.

How long did it take you to build? About 80 hours

Approximately how many LEGO elements did you use? A lot! Honestly, I have no idea.

Are there any hidden details, Easter eggs, or techniques in your model that fans should look out for? - To show that everything is built at the same scale as the upscale Minifigure of Captain Redbeard (LEGO House Exclusive 2023: A Minifigure Tribute, 40504), his hat hangs on a coat rack in the corner. - My favorite detail of the build is the wallpaper; it adds depth and detail to the backdrop of the scene. - The Minifigures and animals in the picture frame are the original ones I played with as a kid. Just imagine telling your 8-year-old self where those Minifigures and animals stand today. - Use of classic palm leaf to build the holiday arrangement is a nice link to the classic pirate theme from 1989. Also, the fact that there is a holiday arrangement in the build is a link to my job as LEGO Model Designer for LEGO Botanicals.