Review: 41914 Creative Picture Frames
Posted by Alice,
Hello! For those that don't know me, I'm Huw's daughter, Alice. I manage the site's social media channels but over the next couple of weeks I'll also be taking a look at some of the new DOTS sets to keep me occupied during lockdown.
Today I'm taking a look at 41914 Creative Picture Frames which, like 41904 Animal Picture Holders that MeganL reviewed last month, provides a way to attractively display photographs.
The packaging is much the same as the other DOTS sets, although this time in yellow: a fairly sturdy tray with a transparent lid which makes it perfect for sorting and storage.
One thing I'll note about the box art is that the pink frame in the photo looks like a muted pink but the actual bricks are vibrant coral so this may be a surprise if you were perhaps hoping they'd match your other room decor based on the picture.
The tile pieces are packed by colour in individual bags which can be emptied into each compartment.
The middle section is for the larger parts, some of which have been removed here for clarity. I found it a bit difficult to find the smaller pieces under the larger plates but there is a small ridge at the top and bottom which you could take the time to sort the smaller bricks into.
The build was simple and the result is three box-style frames. Now you can decorate them how you like! The instructions come with decorating ideas which I used on the large and small frames but played with different colours for the medium-sized neon frame. I'm not sure if I'm convinced the vibrant coral works with some of the other colours but I suppose it makes them stand out!
One thing it doesn't come with is a brick separator which would've come in handy because they can be used to help line up the tile pieces, so they are square. Luckily my dad had one or two spares I could use!
Although children might not mind them not lining up, that sort of thing annoys me, so I hope they're not too noticeably wonky in the photos.
The smallest frame fits a picture of approx. 4x4cm, the medium-sized 6x7.5cm and the largest 6x9.5cm. These aren't really typical frame sizes so it may be difficult to fit your photos in unless you print some especially.
You can keep each frame separate or join them together like this or side by side.
They join together at the back using what LEGO call 'z' bricks and stand up with 2x4 bricks.
When you are ready to insert your photos you can remove the top row of bricks and slide them in.
I've used mine to display some of Brickset's favourite pictures... :) I had to print them to the right size and even then had to trim the edges to get them to fit. They just sit at the back of the frame so unless they are exactly the right size they'll move around a bit. The photos I printed on normal paper look OK although stiffer photo paper would have been better.
It's great that there are enough tile pieces to do different decorations in various colours and there are still lots left over!
I think they would look great in any child's bedroom and I certainly would've been pleased to have one when I was younger, but they would also make a great addition to any LEGO-loving household to display favourite photos and add a pop of colour to the room.
The only negative I have is the aperture of the frames. You'd have trouble fitting any already-printed photos, so you will have to print your own and probably crop them to an awkward size.
At £17.99 / $19.99 for 398 pieces it seems a little more expensive than other DOTS sets but you do get a lot of tile pieces which are always useful!
Thanks to LEGO for providing the set for review. All expressed opinions are my own.
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21 comments on this article
Welcome to the world of reviewing, Alice!
That packaging is.....bright! I do like that they've included vibrant coral, though I agree with you that it doesn't always work well with the other colours.
Since you included a picture of Huwbot, I have to make the observation that Huwbot's version of this set would undoubtedly include pictures of Clikits :-)
Idk why but I'm getting Orla Kiely vibes from this set. I think its the colours they are similar to what the designer brand Orla Kiely has on its products.
From the Summer wave of DOTS I'm more excited to see the Desk Organiser and Extra Dots and Bracelets, but this frame set is pretty decent on the whole.
Also those trays look useful as heck for sorting out parts I'm sure we'll see somebody soon using them in the Storage articles that's if we haven't already.
Great review btw :D
Excellent photo selection.
Very nice review. I always feel like the coral shows up different in different pictures. I had not thought about taking the tiles on and off to change the look, but know I would find removing them annoying now that I thought about it. Tell Huw you deserve your own brick separator a this point in life and then write it off as a business expense.
“Luckily my dad had one or two to spare”
I’m pretty sure that you’re gifted with incredible power of understating ;)
The DOTS are aligned pretty perfectly, and it’s something that bugs me, too.
Being a teenage boy, the DOTS line naturally doesn’t attract me in the slightest, and despite LEGO’s and Brickset’s efforts, I’m not feeling it. I’m not a piece collector, either, so I’m not bothered by the tiles.
Personally, I would rather spend £18 on the NINJAGO set reviewed yesterday.
Thanks for the review, though.
Great review, Alice! It's going to be very hard for me to resist buying multiples of this set for the lavender and vibrant coral elements.
It's nice to see another reviewer with high-quality content! Well done!
Dots sets are basic but really fun.
Thanks for review!
Great review! :-) The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Hello Huw's daughter, Alice! Welcome among reviewers. Like your review.
Is that you in minifig form on left picture?
Great Set, Great Piece Selection, Great Review!
Nice review! If you use iOS, the app called “Print to Size” is pretty handy for cranking out odd-sized photos.
I must be cracking up because I thought the opening sentences stated "Hello! For those that don't know me, I'm Huwbot's daughter, Alice!!!! Excellent review too.
Thanks everyone :)
@gsom7 said:
“Is that you in minifig form on left picture?"
It’s not necessarily meant to be but I suppose it could be as I do have long brown hair!
Nice review! It’s wild to me that these don’t include a brick separator, especially as those little tile pieces can be so difficult to remove.
I know that these frames are meant to be used for pictures, but I can't help to think they'd also work great for displaying minifigures. The tiniest one may be a bit small, but they others could have a fig or two in a diorama. May be fun to try!
Thanks for the review. Love your tone! I think I would try to make one bigger frame (using parts from my collection) to try and get a 6x4 or a 7x5 frame, or maybe use the dots to make a background for a little vignette. I think kids would just make their own little drawings and put them in the frames. They are quite cute.
Love this set, seems like a great straightforward set with more use then just photo frames.
Those plates in Coral really look bright :D
Like father like daughter.
Great review and great humor. I almost fell off my chair laughing re "Luckily my dad had one or two spares I could use!".
Keep up the good work. Set looks nice too. And quite good value for money.
Your dad definitely has to gift you with your very own Brick Separator now.
Thanks for the review!
I like the Dots series, but this one looks like a pass as there's not even any unique printed dots... Unless you have no Lego pieces at all, I would go for the Extra Dots.
Looks like a nice little set!