Friday 13 October 2017

Lady of the Lake Teacup Truck

Whenever I'm in Brandon, Manitoba, I stop at one of my favourite places -- the Lady of the Lake Shop, Cafe and Pub. It has been a beloved gathering-place in that small prairie city for at least 20 years. My Mom, sister and I have enjoyed many happy times together at this store and restaurant in days gone by.

A couple of years ago or so, this marvelously whimsical "Teacup Truck" first appeared outside its doors . . . .


As you can see, every square inch of this old flatbed truck is covered with broken china mosaics, cups, saucers, teapots, decorative plates, china figurines, doodads, baubles and junky gewgaws!


This is my favourite side of the Teacup Truck. I hate to think of how many hours of work with a glue gun it took to create this!


Here's a couple of closeups of the driver's side fender and hood. I can make out six teapots (I think) and one pitcher . . . .


. . . and a teeny-tiny rack of billiard balls, which I love!


The Teacup Truck sits outdoors all year long in the sun, rain and snow. I'm pretty sure the vehicle doesn't run and was towed to its current location. From the Lady of the Lake website, here's a "before" photo of the Teacup Truck prior to its artistic rebirth. I believe that the woman who is waving while standing on the running board is the store owner.


[All photos © Debra She Who Seeks, July 2017, except for the last photo © Lady of the Lake]

44 comments:

Moving with Mitchell said...

What joy! This brightened up my day. Can you imagine the gas mileage that would get?!?

anne marie in philly said...

the "hunk o junk truck" is now gorgeous!

Bob said...

I love the Tea Cup Running Board!

Mark said...

That is a magnificent truck. It must have taken a lot of work to put together. I'd want to show something like that off after putting so much effort into it.

Harry Hamid said...

That is really cool. We have an art pcar parade each year in Houston and some of the cars are a bit like that and all so creative and mindblowing.

But I always wonder how they begin. Do they decide to have an art car first and then decide what?

Or do they sit there staring after having broken a tea cup and think, "I know what I'm I'm going to do with these shards! Glue them to my truck!"

Jeanne said...

How fun! There is a car in the big city of Colorado Springs which has had a similar style of makeover. But the car is still running and the woman drives it around town. So fun to see such creativeness in the world. :o)
Curious...is there a lake nearby???

Loved your Johnny Jump-up story. ♥

The Happy Whisk said...

Holy crap. That's a fun truck. Love the clos-up, too.

brewella deville said...

I saw something similar in Eureka, CA. An old junker sedan with thousands of tiny plastic toys and tokens glued to it. I don't think it was part of any advertisement or attraction, just a local with a sense of humor. Love things like this.

Mistress Maddie said...

Creative minds and marketing. I bet its a fun place to take tea?!?

Janie Junebug said...

That's great! Now I want to break my dishes and glue them on my car. Then it won't need to be painted.

Love,
Janie

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

That is SO COOL! I never knew this about Brandon...next time I make the trip I shall seek it out!

Kirk said...

Looks a bit like the Merry Prankster bus.

Leanna said...

Whoa! That's a whole lotta tea party goin on there.

Jenn said...

I haven't been to this place but I can already tell that I'd love it!!

The Captain said...

What a great way of covering up scratches and rust. Looks smashing (see what I did there?)

DEZMOND said...

They must be really bored :) I've no idea what doodads, baubles and
gewgaws are but they all sound delightful

e said...

Love the truck! The Lady of the Lake sounds almost like a community center...

Jono said...

I love original artwork like this. I was actually in Brandon once many years ago. I was taking the northern route from here to Bottineau, North Dakota to visit an old roommate. He's an even older roommate now.

Joanne Noragon said...

Eccentric and charming.

Snap said...

Fun fun fun and tea! What more could one want??!!

The truck would be perfect for the art car parade down here ... too bad it doesn't run!

Magaly Guerrero said...

I'm a sucker (and a sipper) for art that is original and delicious. What a fantastic find. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Miss Val's Creations said...

What a fantastic makeover to a truck that has seen better days! It is quirky and fun. Oh what creative people will do!

Marfi-topia said...

This is so fun! what a great piece of art:)

Martha said...

Wow! That is one fun truck. You share the coolest things.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Now that's fun. It is amazing !!!!! I like the little quirky things she added in.

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

Oh my old stomping grounds. I ruled that city. I stole food from a baby in that town. I prowled the downtown record stores to find Queen's double album.

baili said...

wow!
never saw such fun truck before though here in some of our provinces it is the tradition to decorate trucks with carnation and glittering paintings and writings that seem sometime really fun to read!

I am glad that you enjoyed there lots of sweet moments with your mom and sister dear debra!

Willym said...

Our people - Canadians that is - never cease to amaze, amuse and astound me!

Jim said...

OMG! LOVE this!! A work of art!!

This N That said...

Amazing..sure looks a lot better!! Can't imagine how long it took to do that..Glad somebody had the time ;) hope you are having a good weekend..

Lynn said...

I adore that and the spirit that went into creating it!

AntiquityTravelers said...

I wonder how that conversation went ... so I have an idea, let's glue tea cups and tea pots and a few saucers to that old truck - ha! I bet they had a blast working on this one!

jimserrettstudio said...

Love it..

Magic Love Crow said...

That is so cool! I want to go! Love!! Thanks for the close up's Deb!!! What is your favourite thing to eat there?

Bill Lisleman said...

Before and after pics - a colorful improvement
If the truck did run I would not follow it too closely on the road. I probably throws a cup or two.

A Beer for the Shower said...

That truck is so cool. I mean, I wouldn't want to drive behind it in traffic, but I can appreciate the time that went into it. Thank god it doesn't run.

Rain said...

That is really cool Debra! What fun!

LL Cool Joe said...

I love that ruck, the hours of work that must have gone into that! So nice to see it hasn't been vandalised either!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

That really is recycling !

yellowdoggranny said...

they need to get that truck running...travel all over in it..

Unknown said...

That is a magnificent truck. It must have taken a lot of work to put together. I'd want to show something like that off after putting so much effort into it.

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Fundy Blue said...

That truck is priceless! some people really think outside of the box. Thanks for sharing, Debra!

CraveCute said...

OMG, I'm in love!

bj said...

I've never been so in love with a pick up truck as I am this one.
SO DANG AWESOME