Hey James, thanks for commenting.
No additional info over at #%^!X, moved it over here 8^)
I just cut long square strips and cut the spline grooves on all sides, glued them up side-by-side with a spline inserted between each strip.
The "board" was then cut at 1-3/8" intervals to make end grain strips. These were glued up side-by-side with short (1-3/8") splines between. Sanded to 1-1/4" on the DS.
The last glue up was where I wished for a very slow set, waterproof, clear glue 8^)