Royal Icing Hello Kitty

Recently I piped a Monster High "Skullette" out of royal icing. I kept thinking how much it reminded me of a Hello Kitty head! Sure enough, the process is pretty similar. All you'll need is stiff consistency white royal icing, round tip #12, pre-made royal icing bows piped with a #57 tip, a flower nail, a Styrofoam block to rest the nail in, a glue stick, parchment paper squares, a dusting pouch filled with a 50/50 blend of cornstarch and powdered sugar, and food-safe markers like Gourmet Writers by AmeriColor. Start by sticking a parchment square to the flower nail with a dab from the glue stick. 

 Hold the #12 tip just above and at a right angle to the surface. Squeeze while piping an oval and filling in the center.

 Tap a fingertip thoroughly by touching it to the dusting pouch, then tap the surface flat.

 Add two short squirts of icing for ears. Tap them flat and taper them gently into points with your fingertips.

 Allow the icing to firm up for a while, then attach a bow with a dot of icing.

When the icing is completely firm, draw in the face with food-safe markers. These would be ideal as cupcake toppers!