Farmhouse Screen Door

I know I've been posting a lot of crafts that use Dollar Tree items, but with this virus, access to craft supplies is limited in my area. For the better craft stores like Michaels, Joann's and Hobby Lobby, they're inventories for basic crafting items are mostly sold out. But I can freely go to a Dollar Tree. And since we have four of them in my area, I find that I've been hitting all of them on a routine basis in search of something to work on.

So here's the latest Dollar Tree project.

What You'll Need:

• 2 pkgs Wood Rulers (totaling 4 rulers)
• 1 Splatter screen (the one with handle, not the center knob)
• 8 Quart-size paint sticks
• Spackle or wood filler
• Sandpaper
• Hot glue
• Paint in desired color
• Paint brush
• Small bit of doweling, small bit of skewer
• Box cutter
• Pliers
• Scissors

      

STEP 1 - PREPARE SCREEN DOOR FRAME: Remove plastic ruler mark strips from all four rulers. Set 2 aside as you will use them as-is. From the remaining rulers, and using the box cutter, score 3 pieces 4-1/4 inches long, then bend to break apart. Cut any wood flash off with your scissors.

Arrange pieces as follows: 

The smooth side of the rulers will be used as the front side. The raised strip on each ruler will be used as guides on the back. 

The two uncut rulers will be used as the outside of the frame. The three short pieces are placed on the inside top, bottom and middle. Glue in place. Take one of the paint sticks and cut into small narrow pieces to be used as reinforcements on the back of the frame. Take 4 pieces and glue one in each corner seam. Take 2 additional pieces and glue one in the middle on each side of middle piece.

Flip frame over to so the front is facing you. Fill holes with spackling. Set aside to dry.

Flip frame over so back is facing you. Cut 5 of the the quart-sized paint sticks to fit in the bottom section of the door frame. Glue in place.

STEP 2 - PREPARE SCREEN: Using pliers, lift one side of the round frame from the screen all around. This will allow you to use the entire screen. If you have a better method for separating the screen from its frame, by all means, use it.

With the back side of the door frame facing you, measure the area for the screen (from guide to guide) and cut a square of the screen to those measurements.

STEP 3 - PAINT THE DOOR FRAME: Sand the speckled areas flush to ruler surface. Wipe off dust with a damp cloth. Paint the door frame making sure to cover the inside edges of the upper and lower sections and outside edges. Mine took two coats. Let dry completely.

STEP 4 - MAKE DOOR HANDLE: Cut a small piece of doweling (approx. 3/4" long), and a small piece of a skewer (approx. 1/2" long). Glue pieces together and paint black or in a color that coordinates with the door. 

STEP 5 - ATTACH SCREEN & DOOR HANDLE: Take the last two paint sticks and cut in half lengthwise to form 2 narrow strips. With back side of door frame facing you, cut each narrow stick to length to fit inside of the guides.

Place screen in upper portion of frame. Apply hot glue to one stick and glue over screen to attach to the frame. Repeat for the other 3 sides.

Flip door over. Glue door handle in place, skewer side to the door.

Done!

If desired, make a small wreath to hang on your door : )

PROJECT COST (not including paint, tools and basic supplies):

Rulers, spackle and splatter screen = $1 each to total $4

I already had all other items.

TOTAL PROJECT COST = $5

BUYING GUIDE

All items purchased at Dollar Tree.