They say Star Wars has something for everyone.  There is action, adventure, romance, comedy, drama, there are even subtitled parts to satisfy those with “finer palettes.”  And there is a characters for just about everyone to identify with.  So it was with great interest we watched our children watching Star Wars for the first time.  What and who would resonate with them?
 When our preschool aged son got to watch Episode I for the first time (violent scenes excluded of course), we were in for a couple of surprises.  First, he was not at all scared of Darth Maul, who had terrified our daughter.  Second, every time Jar Jar fell, tripped or made a funny noise, our boy giggled so hard he was snorting.  By the end of the movie, he shrieked with joy every time Jar Jar appeared.  So with the exception of Darth Vader, Luke, and Yoda, Jar Jar is now his favorite.  Personally, I never cared for the Gungan.  I never hated him, but I thought he was unnecessarily stupid and silly.  I am now wondering though, if that wasn’t the plan.  Lukas probably wanted to introduce a character the really young ‘uns could appreciate – in a movie they were probably too young to get otherwise.  I am still not a big fan, but having seen my son so incredibly happy at the mere sight of Jar Jar, I have definitely softened my view more than a little bit.

#3 in the Perler bead/cross-stitch/Lego/pixel/mosaic series.

Needed:

• Perler Beads (Black, White, Dark Grey, Grey [Light Grey], Light Blue, Bubble Gum, Pink, Rust, Sand, Tan)
• Tweezers (optional)
• Perler Clear Pegboards
• Removable Tape
• Printout of Pattern (download above image)
• Iron
• Baking Parchment Paper (Perler Ironing Paper)
• Heavy Object with Flat Bottom
• Cork sheets with Adhesive Backs
• Scissors or X-acto Knife
• Glass
• Bantha Milk (of course)

How To:

• Download and print out the pattern provided (mirror it, if you only plan on ironing on only 1 side).
• Cut out, then tape pattern to the back of the Perler Pegboard so the dots line up with the pegs.
• Add the Perler beads (tweezers are pretty handy if you don’t have a 6 yr old’s tiny fingers).
• Carefully move pegboard to ironing board, place parchment (or Perler ironing paper) on top.
• Iron until the beads start melting together (If you have never done this before, it might take some practice to get it “just right”).
• Let cool for a bit, remove from Perler Pegboard and remove paper.
• Optional: turn over, cover with parchment paper and iron on other side. (put something solid and heatproof underneath to make ironing easier)
• If you only iron on 1 side, place it under something flat and heavy while it cools, to avoid curving.
• Cut cork about 1/4” smaller than the square, affix to the back.
• Don’t forget the Bantha milk. Enjoy!

Tips:

Usually people iron on both sides of the Perler bead design, but I prefer to only do the back. The designs look crisper and more “pixely”.  With the cork on the back, I have not had any problems with the coasters falling apart, but feel free to iron yours on both sides.

Note, if you only plan on iron on only 1 side, you need to mirror the pattern.

Also, the coasters are pretty hard to clean, so try not to get anything too gunky in there.

Get Supplies:

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Black
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-White
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Dark Grey
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Grey (Light Grey)
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Light Blue
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Bubble Gum
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Pink
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Rust
Perler Beads 1,000 Count- Sand
Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Tan

Perler Beads Clear Square Pegboards 4 Pack

Perler Fun Fusion Ironing Paper 6/Pkg-

Darice Adhesive Backed Cork Tiles   (This is a bit thicker than what I used, but I can’t find the same kind I got)

Note:

Feel free to use these patterns for any personal use – but please do not sell items made with them. Also, feel free to link to this blog so others can download the pattern, but do not download and then re-upload in order to offer them as downloads on your own site/blog. THANKS!