I have a friend who wants to do some cupcakes for her DD's bday party, and she isn't much of a cook, much less a baker/decorator (by her own admission, lol). They will be iced in the popular Bratz colors of pink & purple. She wants to put a star on some and red lips on others....wants to know if it would be easier to just use reg. icing and pipe on the shapes or to use a stencil and use colored sugar crystals. I'm thinking a stencil would just stick to/pull up the icing after she gets the sugar put on, since you normally don't use a crusting BC on cupcakes, right? Or am I completely off?? lol And I don't think she'd go for MMF, but I'll suggest it to her. Will a stencil work, and how do you go about it? Or any suggestions....TIA! 
Seems like the stencil would be easier and maybe faster. If she uses canned icing, that crusts, doesn't it? (I haven't used it in a while, so I can't remember.) Or maybe even hold the stencil slightly above the cupcake and sprinkle the sugar on. Just a few thoughts...
just like VIVA doesn't stick to crusted BC, so too a stencil shouldn't stick either.
make the stencil of plastic, could use the film used for overhead transparencies. Cut w/ a VERY sharp knife.
for extra insurance can dust back of stencil w/ powdered sugar or cornstarch.
if you have an airbursh, can position stencil and spray through it.
can stencil fondant just like stenciling on walls, just using food colors.
Ok...so in order for the stencil to not stick to the icing, she just needs to use a crusting bc, right? That's what I thought, but crusting bc and cupcakes don't go very well together, in my mind, at least...lol. Guess I'm just used to creamier frosting on my cc's! lol
If she has star or lips cookie cutters, she can use that instead of a stencil too.
What would I do without you, SC!!??
Perfect solution...no matter what type of icing! There'll be less 'stencil surface' (for lack of a better description...lol) touching the icing, so minimal mess up of the icing...lol. Thanks a heap!!! 
Heehee, well hhmn, I am indespensable, er indisposable er well, actually just lazy and do things the easy way, haha!
Hugs Squirrelly
How'za 'bout IRREPLACEABLE!!!??? lol
And isn't it true when you think about something too much, you inevitably will make it harder?? lol Easy is goooood!
One of my favourite things for stenciling with is a real crocheted doily instead of the paper ones. Especially for powdered sugar. So you use a clean one, with the powdered sugar, afterwards put it in a week bit of water and let dry and then iron. The powdered sugar works like spray starch and stiffens up the doily so that it looks nice and crisp. Actually they used to use just sugared water to starch with, so this is my other lazy trick now, haha! Except maybe during ant season...
Hugs Squirrelly
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