CTMH NEW Annual Catalogue : Essentials
Today, 1st September 2023, marks the release of Close To My Heart’s new core catalogue – named Essentials. It’s a slimmed down version from previous books, that really just does feature your core crafting essentials.
Think cardstock, shimmer brushes, colouring pens and pencils, embellishments, stencils, digital art, tools, adhesives, albums, protectors, and organisation. Just like the name says, all the things you would probably use day in day out, whilst creating your beautiful papercrafting projects.
Once you’ve gone to check it out https://megan.closetomyheart.co.nz/ctmh/products/online-catalog.aspx pop back here, as I thought I’d share a few of my favourite items.
New pattern book – Make It From Your Heart Vol. 6
First up, there’s a new pattern book – Make It From Your Heart Volume 6. I really love using the CTMH pattern books when creating. If I’m sitting looking at some photos without any inspiration on where to start, I turn to my MIFYH books, pick a pattern, and away I go. They really are a fabulous resource. Not only do they have all the inspiration, but they also have all the measurements, so if you don’t like using your ‘eyrchronometer’ and want something very precise, it’s got you.

And – this book caters for both scrapbookers and cardmakers alike, as it has 9 patterns for double page scrapbook layouts, 10 patterns for single page scrapbook layouts, 10 patterns for standard sized cards, and 5 patterns for slimline cards!! Wowsers, how good is that??!!
And to extend your inspiration, pick up the MIFYH book, and pair it with a Love of Colour book. The Love of Colour guides you through colour combinations that perhaps you wouldn’t normally pick, but totally work. Just choose your first base colour, and it’ll suggest your combos. Sooooo clever!
New colours
As always happens when a new book is released, some core colours are retired, to make way for some fresh new colours. These colours are available in inks and co-ordinating cardstock, and often in embellishments also.
The new colours being introduced in this book are Rosy, Limeade, Royal, Pumpkin, Acorn and Jade. Let’s not also forget, that there’s a new Colour of the Year, and this one is my favourite EVER! Meet Journey!

Isn’t it the most beautiful colour! This is going to enhance so many types of photos, and just be the star of creative projects. I cannot wait to begin using it. Ooh la la the glitter paper!!
Irresistibles
Irrisistible papers are not new to the CTMH range, but this collection of patterns are. If you’ve not used them before, it’s time you did, as they are such fun to create with. They have a ‘resist’ pattern on top, so when you receive them from afar they just look like white cardstock. Up close you can see the ‘shiny’ pattern, but the magic happens when you add colour. Simply add colour in any form – ink, pencils, watercolour etc, wipe over the paper with a tissue, and voila, you have a beautiful base colour with a white pattern on top. It can literally take seconds for you to look SUPER clever!
This card I created took mere minutes.

It’s simple, yet so pretty in its simplicity. (Those who pre-ordered a goodie bag from me will have a kit to create their own one of these in it.)
Stencils
Stencils have been so on trend recently, and I know myself and my crafting friends have been having a lot of fun using them across all of our projects. Because of their popularity, CTMH have released a new range of designs, with some very clever elements.


Organisation
Would I be correct in thinking that if you love paper, you probably also love organisation??
If you’re with me on that, or if you just want to tidy up that desk, you may be swooning alongside me over the new Carousel. It’s a clear acrylic rotating tower with 5 shelves. I cannot wait to get this on my desk!

Check out this image – see to the right of the carousel? That’s a new desk top tool holder, that also looks mighty handy.
So there you have it – a little glimpse at my favourites.
Go check out the catalogue, and let me know what YOUR favourites are.
