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Lattice can be beautiful and quite decorative, but it is not known for its durable qualities. As time progresses lattice can wear down and before you know it you have broken lattice strips all over the place. But before you throw it away try using it for one of these craft projects.
A Lattice Shelf: You'll need 10 strips of lattice measuring 18 inches long (cut longer pieces down to 18 inches with a jig saw), a 3 inch wooden shelf bracket, a piece of wood that you will cut down for a shelf ledge and it must be 3 to 3 1/2 inches deep. This can be cut from scrap lumber with a jig saw. you will also need paint, the color of your choice, glue, and a staple gun.
Lay 4 of the 10 strips down and glue the other 4 strips across them, forming a square with a checkered pattern. Take remainig 2 lattice strips and glue over the 2 sides with exposed ends. Once dry, reinforce glued edges with a staple gun.
Decide how wide you wish your shelf piece to be, and then cut it. Attach bracket to bottom center of shelf and then attach the entire shelf with small wood screws, coming through the back of the lattice. Place two sawtoothed hangers on back of shelf and then paint or decorate as desired.
Looking for a simpler project? How about a rustic Americana flag? You'll need 13 lattice strips, any length you desire, as long as they are uniform in length (24 - 30 inches works great for this project). You'll also need glue and red, white and blue paint. Attach the 13 lattice strips together by gluing them to 2 strips running vertically down. The 2 vertical strips should be placed on each side of horizontal strips, about 3 inches in from edges. The side with the vertical strips is the back side.
Turning it over, you are ready to paint the flag on the front side, alternating each lattice piece as a stripe,
starting with red and ending with red. For the star area, paint 7 strips down and approximately 1/3 of the way across. You can paint on 50 stars or try the Americana look by painting 5 or 6 stars in a circle. To hang the flag, you can insert wire into the top corners of the flag and then top it off with a raffia bow if desired.
With these ideas, perhaps now you'll look at old lattice in a new light.
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