Team Challenge: Boat Fishing with Waterside Retreat DSP

July 23, 2026

Team Challenge: Boat Fishing with Waterside Retreat DSP

Sometimes the best crafting decision is knowing when to let the paper do the talking!

For this month's team photo challenge, our theme was Boat Fishing. As soon as I looked through my Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper, I knew it already captured the peaceful lakeside feeling I wanted. The beautiful painted scenery was simply too pretty to cover up!

Instead of adding lots of stamping, colouring, or extra layers, I created a DSP-filled card, allowing the landscape to become the focal point. I trimmed the paper into vertical panels, creating the look of looking through a dockside fence or cabin window, which adds a little extra interest while keeping the stunning artwork front and center.

The only stamping on this card is the sentiment. A few fishing-themed die cuts, a bit of Baker's Twine, and that was all it needed to finish the scene.

Basic Steps

Cut your card base and mat layer.
Trim the Waterside Retreat Designer Series Paper into evenly spaced vertical strips.
Adhere the strips to a white mat, leaving small gaps between each strip to create the paneled effect.
Mount the completed panel onto your card base.
Stamp and die cut the sentiment, then add the fishing-themed die cuts.
Wrap White Baker's Twine around the card front and adhere the sentiment and embellishments to complete the design.

This card is a great reminder that Designer Series Paper isn't just for backgrounds. Sometimes it deserves to be the star of the show! By simply cutting the paper into panels, I was able to create a completely different look without covering up the beautiful artwork.

It's also a wonderful technique when you want a relaxing crafting session. No colouring, minimal stamping, and a card that comes together quickly while still making a big impact.

Happy Crafting! 🐱