Fun project and a great way to use scrap wood. I cut strips of walnut and maple to 5/8” wide and to various lengths and thickness. I used 1/2” thick mdf as a backer board and glued the strips to the board, alternating the lengths and location of the walnut and maple.
Walnut, Maple, MDF, Aluminum French Cleat
Waterlox
Cut strips of walnut and maple to 5/8″ wide. I glued them to a 1/4″ sheet of MDF.