Whale in a Sailor Hat

I have a bunch of blue icing I've been trying to think of something to do with. This evening I figured it out: whales! They're made of a couple basic shapes that are easy to pipe. Hold a bag fitted with a round #12 tip just above and at a 45 degree angle to a parchment paper square. Squeeze until a ball forms, then move the tip along for about half an inch. 

 Stop pressure and pull the tip away just above the surface to form a teardrop shape.

 To make the blowhole, touch the end of a round toothpick to a dusting pouch (without actually piercing the pouch) filled with a 50/50 blend of cornstarch and powdered sugar. Stick the toothpick into the large end of the teardrop at a right angle, rotate, and pull straight out.

 Allow the whale bodies to firm up for a while. You can speed up the drying time by placing them under a desk lamp.

 This would be a good time, if you're so inclined, to pipe the whales some sailor hats (you know, because with the exception of Moby Dick, whales are never seen without their sailor hats). Stick a parchment paper square to a flower nail with a dab from a glue stick, and pipe a circular shape with the #101 petal tip. Hold the wide side of the tip against the parchment, and rotate the nail in a complete circle while piping. Stop pressure and pull the tip away. Touch a fingertip to the dusting pouch and even out the edge by gently tapping it into place.

 Switch to a round #5 tip and pipe a ball for the center. Hold the tip against the middle, squeeze out a ball, and pull the tip away. If a peak remains, tap it down into a rounded shape with a dusted fingertip. Set the hats aside to dry.

 Now it's time to pipe the tails with the #101 petal tip. Carefully place the whale body (which should still be stuck to the parchment) on the flower nail; handle it by the paper as much as possible. Hold the tip flat against the surface at the point of the teardrop with the wide end of the tip slightly overlapping the body. Pipe while moving the tip in a small, gentle "S" shape. Stop pressure and pull the tip away.

 Rotate the whale around and repeat the process for the other side of the tail. Remember to keep the wide side of the tip against the teardrop, not away from it.

Pipe a couple of #2 dots for eyes. Hold the tip almost against the surface, squeeze, release pressure, and pull the tip away. Flatten slightly with a dusted fingertip. 

 When the dots have firmed up, give them pupils with an AmeriColor Gourmet Writer.

 The whales are ready to go as is…

 …or you can dress them up with those sailor hats.