I am always a little proud of myself when I help my kids with a difficult LEGO design, or find just the piece they’ve been searching for in our big bin, but my accomplishments pale in comparison to what one dedicated mom in Seattle did with those little plastic pieces. She made an entire LEGO Hogwarts.

Alice Finch’s labor of LEGO love took 18 months and more than 400,000 bricks. The finished version of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is so detailed and accurate, Hermione Granger herself would approve.  You can read the full story and see more of the fantastic photos at My Modern

If you’re as fascinated as I am, also find a 2013 interview with Alice Finch on The Brothers Brick.

I think you’ll agree that the end result is, indeed, magical.

Check out Alice Finch’s Flickr Stream where you’ll find magical LEGO creations including an impressive Notre Dame Cathedral, and a detailed homage to the Hobbit.