Something Fancy

On By ResaIn Book Reviews

by: Robbie Cheadle

In Robbie’s words:

"but I have moved on to drawing and painting,
which now dominate my artistic life."

"This book is a celebration of my cake and fondant art phase of life"

And what a fantastic phase it was! Just check out her “Jack Frost” cake above! I was so inspired, I drew the “Jacquie Frost” Art Gown below.

I’m just learning how to do white, so did a rendition of icy-blue white with window frost effect.

Of course there’s more to the book than cakes! There’s recipes and background history of both how fancy desserts and their recipes came to be, with a focus on:

Christmas Cakes

Okay, so that’s another kind of cake, but it is Christmas soon, and I just had to show off Robbie’s Tiered Rainbow Fairies Christmas Cake!

Which leads me to another Art Gown drawing inspired by the above cake; The Rainbow Fairies’ Art Gown.

Robbie says – “The ice cream fairies cake is a very happy one for me.”

Well, I can add more happy!

More! There’s poetry. There’s photos. There’s fondant art. There’s heart.

And there’s Gingerbread!

If there is anything that could be constructed out of gingerbread, Robbie has engineered it.

To the left is her gingerbread Chapel.

To our right, is her gingerbread Windmill.

There are a lot of gingerbread creations in the book, but these two are the inspiration for my Gingerbread Art Gown, below.

Ginger models the Gingerbread Art Gown.

This lovely 100+ page book can set you up nicely for the oncoming holiday season, or any celebration that comes your way.

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated four poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies. .

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

OR – Just click on Something Fancy above, and go directly to its Amazon page!

Something Fancy is available in book or ebook formats!

You can find her books on Amazon sites around the globe. Just search “Robbie Cheadle” for children and youth books – “Roberta Eaton Cheadle” for adult books.

Visit Robbie on her blogs! Roberta Writes and Robbies Inspiration

Visit Robbie on her YouTube Channel to watch her bake, and get some tips! 


354 thoughts on “Something Fancy”

    1. Ahh, the Gingerbread gown, thank you, Martha!

      It would be difficult to eat such lovely creations, but if someone else cut up the cakes, I’d have a piece. I actually like Christmas Cakes a lot, a guilty pleasure.

      You have a great weekend, too, Martha! xxx

      Reply

      1. I took a United Christmas cake to work on Tuesday. I’d cut it into slices. It was very well received. Some of my colleagues have never tasted traditional Christmas cake before as it’s not part of African tradition.

        Reply

  3. The Jack Frost cake and your Jacquie Frost drawing are just wonderful! The icy-blue colors you use in your art have a really wintery-magical feel about them. I like the way you are inspired to create from others’ creations; what a wonderful cycle of endless imagination and inspiration! The gingerbread windmill and gingerbread gown work beautifully together. What a lovely post! 🎄❄️💜

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Ada!

      Yes, the Jack Frost cake is a stunner. I wish I was better at drawing white, but I’m pleased with how Jacqui Frost came out.

      I just love the inspiration I get from the arts of others. Yes, it’s an endless cycle of imagination. It’s a wonderful thing in life.

      Thank you, again, Ada! ❄️💃🏽💎🧁xxx

      Reply

    1. Merril,
      Crazy that Robbie baked all the amazing things I see in the book.

      Yes, the Jack Frost cake is stunning, very inspiring. Wintry beauty…best observed from indoors. (for me anyway)🕊💙

      Reply

  5. It truly sounds like Jingle Bells, and I can even hear Christmas carols. Beautiful paintings and an incredible book by Robbie! She is right: … there is Heart, a lovely Heart!

    Thank you, both. 🥰💖✨💞💥

    Reply

        1. Ohh, I wish it was a MacBeth computer!

          Unfortunately, it’s a MacBook, and some corporation is getting my $$$.

          If it was a MacBeth computer, some old evil guy in a castle 400+ years ago would be cashing in.
          That, to me, is preferable. 🤭😉

          Reply

  8. Great story and great art Resa I too am trying to ace white but yours is a nice icy blue as I plowed the last two days I found many spots in out 10″ of fresh snow the were the most gorgeous sections of Cerulean blues hidden in the white. Today I get more bird food and feed my sourdough starter and paint. Have a wonderful weekend. xo

    Reply

    2. Ahh, cerulean blue.. beautiful.
      Yes, the painting of white is interesting. It’s about the shadows, not the colour.
      So blue seems cold, and pinky shadows would feel warm. Grey would be more non committal.

      You have a wonderful weekend too, Eunice! xo

      Reply

    2. Yes, she is a treasure!
      I have learned a lot about Africa from her. The animals are wonderful, and the history I learned around and about the Boer War from reading “A Ghost and His Gold” is eye opening.
      Thanks Violet!
      Your writing is terrific, always a treat to read.

      Reply

    2. Thanks Brad!

      It sure was fun drawing gowns inspired by cakes. One never knows wherein the seeds of inspiration lie.

      You say the nicest things. 🕊🌟

      Reply

    2. Cake gowns… I never would have thought I would draw one, but trust Robbie to inspire me.
      Thanks about the promo angle, Thunder! If someone likes baking & being creative, THIS is their book!
      xoxoxoxoxo

      Reply

  19. Ahhh! What a fancy post indeed!! I LOVE Robbie’s fantastic and yummy-looking Jack Frost cake and the Jacquie Frost is perfect!! It’d make a lavish, fancy Winter wedding!

    The Tiered Rainbow Fairies Christmas and Ginger Bread cakes are so much fun!! They’re all too beautiful to eat.

    I’m obsessed with your Gingerbread Art Gown, Resa!! Love the rose vines on her arms, so romantic!!

    I barely bake anything but it’s fun watching other people bake stuff, ahah. So thanks for this fantabulous and super fancy post, Robbie + Resa!! 🩷 🧡 💛 💚 🩵 💜

    Reply

  22. Oh what a happy and deliciously wonderful post honoring Robbie and here Amazing creations! She sure does have her fingers in everything. I’d like a little frosting please to sweeten my day. Love this Resa and your photos are fantabulous as always ❣️

    Reply

          3. I was thinking about your comment, Shey. I think that Resa’s drawings of beautiful women in gorgeous gowns taps in to our childhood visions of fairytale romance. They take us back to happy carefree times before reality starts to sand down our idealism and dreams.

            Reply

            2. But also Robbie, just thinking beyond what you say there, or taking it further rather, she also taps into a character in a book wonderfully and produces them brilliantly. Also she does ones of the Art Gown models and I can’t speak for the others but my daughters both said re one she did of me, that it not only looked like me…okay there’s pics out there..but the gown was exactly the same as one I had in the cupboard hat she’d never seen. So there is a wonderful reality, possibility re what she draws that absolutely takes us to that other time too.

              Reply

                    1. Well……. with regard to certain things,. I was giving it a home. Having looked at the removal chaos re a drama dept being moved to another city, my intelligence said, just put it and these other things back in the car… so I did.

                    2. Good for you!

                      I hope there are other drama departments where you are.
                      I understand why you would keep it, and other items. I saved many costumes from my time as a costume designer.
                      xxxxxx

                  2. This is not any of mah heroines speaking when I say that I knew you’d understand. No, what happened was I had borrowed various costumes from the the then drama dept at the then local teacher training college, for a production. But they were in the process of moving their whole operation to Aberdeen and the building was to be another kind of college. Anyway me and mah sound and lights partner in crime guy rocked up to return everything I’d borrowed, literally as the removal vans were emptying the drama dept. So after failing to get hold of anyone responsible for that dept and watching the shambles before us where a lot of stuff was actually being dumped, not in the vans either, I took the executive decision to add the stuff which included this 30s original evening dress, to our company’s costumes and he promised not to tell.

                    Reply

                    1. You made the right decision, imo.

                      I’m happy to hear that the evacuation did not leave your area without a production company.

                      SO, what is your next project, in that world?

                    2. Nah, we are a travelling players company. And our next project –hopefully–will be something totally new and probably totally dementing…… And who know but we may resurrect an old stalwart. it is not that we want to necessarily but members have been asking…..

          1. OOOOhh,,, looking over here at a very old set of miniature wooden carved African animals sent by an army mate of my dad’s, who settled in Kenya, this is difficult but prob the lioness cos she is missing….

            Reply

  27. This is a beautiful collaboration, Resa!!! The way you brought together Robbie’s book, her photographs and your extraordinary art gowns is simply stunning. Each element has its own charm, but in your post they come together as a single creative vision. It feels like storytelling through image, colour and fabric all at once. I love seeing how your artistry meets Robbie’s imagination. You both bring such dedication to your work, and the result is something that lingers long after the last photograph is viewed. It is a joy to witness.

    Reply

    2. Oh Goody!

      I’m thrilled you see it that way, Rebecca. Robbies cakes inspired me. I don’t write poetry, so I drew gowns.

      Joy…YAY!!!!!!

      I must say my new Art Gown is proving the biggest challenge, yet. Now I need wire!?!?

      Anyway, yours is on deck and will be much more fun…in a way.

      Thank you so much for being here, and being you! Hugs.

      Reply

        1. Toothpicks! 🤭🤗
          I was dreading going to the place where I would find the largest variety of wire. I need to feel the strength & flexibility.
          However, I found one close by that just opened. Still, I might not be able to get there now before Christmas.

          Reply

  28. You two should collaborate on a project. Wouldn’t that be a kick? I just left a review on Robbie’s book last night. I know it was posted to Goodreads, but I don’t think it’s up on Amazon yet.

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    2. Hi Pete!

      My imagination got carried away, and I saw a woman in one of my beautiful gowns, popping out of a gorgeous giant cake that Robbie designed.

      A lot of gown

      A lot of cake

      Sew and bake

      Reply

  29. Resa and Robbie this is so utterly charming. I’ve always been enchanted by Robbie’s fondants, and I adore your sketches. Having them both together is a treat. Best wishes to Robbie on this new series — I see that it says Book-1. Hugs all around. 🤗

    Reply

    1. Hi Teagan, it is wonderful to see Resa’s art gowns inspired by my art cakes. A delightful collaboration. It was the same when you wrote the sugar vampires story. Such a wonderful merging of ideas and talents.

      Reply

    2. Thank you, Teagan!

      Yes, I see that – Book I, as well!

      The fondants… you can eat those too! Cake and candy… I would think all kids would want Robbie to be their mom.

      BIG HUGS!

      Reply

  30. Hi Resa and Robbie, as soon as I saw the cakes and fondant art I just thought of Capodimonte porcelain sculptures and the art gowns are just as exquisite! Thanks to both of you for sharing.

    Reply

  31. Pingback: Something Fancy – Robbie's inspiration

  34. All three gowns are delightful, this is such a sweet and chic idea, Resa… charming, how Robbie’s fondant and cake art ideas somehow underwent metamorphosis, being turned into such stylish garments! 😊 💕

    Reply

    1. Ha!
      Thanks Nicole! Thing is, I turn many things into gowns.
      I do love the Art Gowns Robbie’s cakes inspired, a lot!
      I’m gown mad! 💃🏽😵‍💫

      Reply

      1. 😀😊 “…gown mad!” so lovely and witty, love it! 💖 And please, “keep up the gown work”, Resa! By all means! As you so amazingly did… with Robbie’s sweet recipes! 😍🥰

        Reply

    1. Thank you, Tim!xx
      Robbie is inspiring, with her cakes, and the animals, her drawings.
      Like you, the nature around her is inspiring…. for a hard core city gal.

      Reply

        1. That is true, Robbie. I do love nature. I’m just happily stuck in a city, a city with art in the alleys and great art galleries.

          LOL, I take food for the animals in the alleys.
          They are not a fancy bunch: pigeons, rodents, raccoons, birds, squirrels. I love them all!

          Reply

  39. Resa, this is something of a fantastic blog post! Your gowns are beautiful and amazing and I loved Robbie’s book. It’s a delightful read for the holidays. Her baking artwork is incredible. I plan to choose a recipe to make and include in my review. Congrats to Robbie for being featured, and thanks for this gorgeous collaboration of two talented artists! 💖🌷💫🎉

    Reply

    2. You’re right, Lauren, it’s a delightful book. And how terrific to hear you’ll be trying a recipe.
      I want to try the shortbread, but with my sickie at home here, I have to see if it can work with rice flour.

      I tried a rice flour pie crust yesterday, and the first thing I thought was….this could work in shortbread.

      Thank you for this lovely comment, Lauren!
      xoxox🧁💃🏽🎨

      Reply

  43. What a fabulous collaboration! Congratulations Robbie on the new book. Your cake sculpting has always left me drooling with delight. Go girl! And Resa, what lovely echoes of Robbie’s cakes! I particularly liked the Gingerbread creation. Cheers!

    Reply

      2. There’s something I have to ask you…have you ever considered sculpting in other mediums? Your characters are so unique and so cute, I’m sure people would love to pop ceramic ones on their shelves! The glazing would be tricky but I could really see you as a sculptor in clay.

        Reply

  46. Okay, first, Omg, almost 300 comments here. 😁 Fantastic presentation to feature Robbie’s beautiful book. The gowns were delicious too! But that tiered fairy cake – takes the cake! Resa has the most creative reviews! 💜😍🌺❌⭕💚

    Reply

    1. Yay Debby! You are the first to pick the Tiered Fairy Cake. It is high end adorable gorgeous… for lack of better words.

      Thank you! I sure have fun doing these reviews.
      xx🌺❌⭕🌺oo

      Reply

    1. Thank you, dahling!
      xx
      OMG, I saw the best art at the AGO today (Jesse Mockrin) and saw 3 new murals on the way there.
      I’ll have to go back for the murals. We are below freezing now, but that doesn’t stop me. I make a plan!

      Reply

  48. Dear Resa and Robbie, I hope you’ll forgive my picking up the rear end here in this gorgeous post of cakes and gowns. It’s absolutely beautiful and Robbie … there anything you can’t do. I’m guessing no!
    thank you lovelies , i thoroughly enjoyed this beauty.
    xoxoxoxo

    Reply

    1. You are welcome dear Holly, and thank you for this lovely comment!
      xoxoxoxo

      Lol – cakes and gowns – I don’t eat much cake, or wear many gowns, but I sure love looking at them.

      Reply

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