UPDATED: We are giving you the chance to win your very own Silhouette Machine. Go to the bottom of this post to see how you can win
I’ve been wanting a digital die cutting machine for awhile now so when the folks at Silhouette asked if I’d like to try one out obviously I jumped at the chance! and even better we get one to giveaway to 1 lucky Craftgossip.com reader.
What’s a Silhouette you might ask? Well the simple answer is it’s an electronic machine that hooks up to your computer and cuts out shapes, but it’s really so much more………..
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Setting it up: When my machine came I couldn’t wait to try it out but first I had to finish dinner and eat with my hubby, I tell you I couldn’t finish eating fast enough 🙂 Let me admit I’m not the most computer savvy person, I get by but I’m no expert, good thing I’m married to an IT guy, huh? But setting up the Silhouette was really simple, the software was easy to download (I just followed the prompts), plugged it into my laptop, plugged it into the wall, went through the steps in the software for setting up a cut, the instruction booklet took me through all the steps and pretty soon I was ready to start cutting. I was also surprised at how light weight it is, easy to carry from room to room or take to classes or crops. It even uses an SD card so you don’t need to take your computer with you!
There are very handy tutorials on the Silhouette website to help with any problems or questions. I found myself using it a couple of times at first and was glad to see all my answers were easy to find. Click here for their tutorials.
What it can do: The Silhouette can cut not only papers like card stock (even heavyweight like Bazzill) but pattern paper and vellum. In addition to paper it can cut vinyl (which comes in lots of great colors) so you can make your own cool wall art or home decor projects that are so hot right now! It can cut heat transfer material, also in lots of different colors which comes in smooth or flocked, for custom clothes and fabrics, how cool is that!? You tell the machine the thickness of what you’re cutting (this takes a little trial and error but I quickly got the hang of it) and there are three blade depths to choose from, changing the blade adjustment cap is quick and easy to do. Another neat feature are the sketch pens you can buy, you can replace the cutting blade with a colored sketch pen and instead of cutting out your image the Silhouette will draw it! And one of the coolest features has to be the print and cut feature, you can print images out on your computer and then use the Silhouette to cut them out. You can even use your own images or fonts to cut or print and cut, you really have complete control and freedom with this machine!
My favorite thing about the Silhouette is there is no need to go out and buy cartridges which might have lots of images you’ll never use, the software comes with a bunch of free images but when you’re ready for more you simply go to the online store and buy what you want and it’s instantly downloaded into your software! You can buy new images for only .99 cents each or they also offer subscriptions so you can save even more. Click here to visit the online store to see just a fraction of the thousands of images to choose from plus tools, vinyl and heat transfer material.
Another thing I like are the mats that come with the machine, they are already sticky, no need to spray adhesive on them. It comes with two to choose from depending on what you are cutting
My first project (shown below): If you know me you know I LOVE Alice in Wonderland so I was thrilled to see all the wonderful Alice images (I bought them all!) and so I decided to make a fun accordion fold card with all the cute images I cut with my Silhouette using card stocks and pattern paper. It was easy to customise my images and use only what I wanted, for instance Alice comes with a lollipop but I chose not to use it. It did take me awhile to learn that I could cut just the pieces that I wanted at a time, instead of having to cut all the pieces out each time from the same color, duh! Is there anything this machine can’t do? I adore how my card came out!
I want to sincerely thank the people at Silhouette for my new machine, I’m really enjoying it and can’t wait to make lots more great things with it. Be sure to watch for more project ideas from me using the Silhouette.
If your looking for ideas, inspiration and freebies don’t miss the Silhouette blog and also check out their Flickr group.
WIN WIN WIN
For your chance to win A Silhouette Machine (a $299.99 value)
And it includes…
- Silhouette machine
- Software for Windows XP/Vista
- Power cable, USB cable
- 2 Cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media)
- One cutting blade
- $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store
How to win: Simply leave a comment on this post
For extra chances (the more comments you leave, the more chances you have):
1. Tweet about this giveaway and make sure you come back and give us the link to your tweet via a comment. One extra point if you also decide to follow us – Make sure you mention that in your comment and if you already follow us, then let us know.
2. Share it on your Facebook wall and leave a comment here telling us you have done so (and link to it if possible).
3. Leave a comment on our Facebook wall and leave a comment here telling us so. Like our Facebook page and tell us.
4. Subscribe to our newsletter and leave a comment telling us you have done so. If you are already a subscriber, leave a comment saying so.
5. Link to CraftGossip. Leave a comment telling us where you have created the link to CraftGossip.
Competition Closes August 7th.
Competition Open to US winners only. Winner randomly drawn from all the comments and contacted via e-mail.
-Heather
(image by Heather Holbrook)
1) AWESOME PROMO (running from August 1st through August 9th at midnight)
Buy a machine and receive the following when you use promo code: GOSSIP
– $50 off the Silhouette Craft Cutter
– 2 rolls of vinyl (Valued at $15.98)
– 1 roll of transfer tape (Valued at $7.99)
– Scraper (Valued at $6.99)
– Home Décor CD (Valued at $50)
– $10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store
– Cutting Blade
– 2 Cutting Mats
All for $249.99
A Savings of $130.96
Just think of how much you’ll save on gift giving this year!
2) GOOD PROMO (running from August 9th through August 14th at midnight)
Buy a machine and receive the following:
$50 off (receive for $249.99)
2 rolls of Heat transfer ($29.89 value)
$10 Gift Card to the Silhouette Download Store
Cutting Blade
2 Cutting Mats
All for $249.99
A savings of $79.98
follow this link to find out who won…………….Congrats!!
Jen says
That’s awesome! The things I could do with one of those…:D
Traci says
My son *loves* playing with Gramma’s cutting machine (a competitor’s product) which is cool, but I’m with you about the cartridges and I would MUCH prefer to create and edit my own images. Such an awesome giveaway!
Julie says
This is my new favorite blog. Lots of great ideas!
Yvette smith says
I could do so many things with this machine ,I do allot of paper craft at home and work i also make stencils this would be a dream to win.
Janice says
I would LOVE to win a Silhouette machine, I have wanted one for sooo long! I’m teaching my daughter how to scrapbook – we would both be very excited!
Kalyber says
I would so love this machine I have been researching digi cutters and this IS the one I want.
Anna Dowdy says
Oh my stars how adorable!!! I hope I am doing this right for the chance to win this awesome prize.
Lorie says
I would so love to win one of these. They are so expensive, but I know I could use it for some many things!!
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely says
Ooooh! I would love to win one of these!
Nancy says
Wow! I would certainly love to win this great new technological tool for crafters! Count me in!
Kate bryan says
Oh my gosh I would die to have this. I make cards and this would be so great!
Debra Arment says
Somehow, I managed not to win ANYTHING at the CHA SuperCrop, which I donated extra to. I’m hoping my number comes up here!
Deserae Fiedler says
I would love to win! Thanks for the chance!
Cathi Oakes says
Wow would my daughter and I LOVE this! She cut out 75 cupcake wrappers for her best friends baby shower with a hand cutter and it took FOREVER! And was painful. Another shower is coming up sson… this would only add to the ease and beauty of the event!
Stacey says
What a fabulous giveaway! This machine looks so awesome with so many features – LOVE IT!
Janet Watt says
I so want one of these!
krystin says
Love this giveaway… please pick me!!
Silvia Betancourt says
Great Prize!! Thnx
Emily says
I love how your card came out!!! I would LOVE this cutter! I am too cheap to spend $$$$ on cartridges. 99c each sounds MUCH more reasonable :D.
kyle says
This would be the best christmas gift for my wife. She would love me forever 🙂
Timothy Sternberg says
I hope I am doing this right for the chance to win this awesome prize.
sandy says
would love this
Rachel says
Wow! That is a really cool machine, there are so many possibilities. Wonderful!
Jesse says
What an incredibly useful machine!
Missy ballance says
I’ve been dreaming of a machine like this! I would love to be able to cut out my own art work to compliment what I buy 🙂
jodi says
Would be totally fantastic to win this cutter!
Shari J. says
I would love to have this wonderful addition to my scrapbooking tools. Thanks for the opportunity to maybe win.
Lauren Zimmerman says
Awesome! I want one!
Stephanie says
I have so wanted one of these…Please pick me!
Virginia Tippen says
Great machine, love the idea of computer linked. Just super
Barbara Crawford says
This awesome machine is on the top of my wish list. I so badly want to win this. Keeping my fingers & toes crossed. 😉
Nikki says
What an awesome machine! I could find a load of things to create with this.
Michelle Mitchell says
This looks absolutely awesome! I had no idea it existed! I would love to win this prize and show all my friends!
Deanna says
Oh that looks like so much fun! Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Bev Slater says
Wow!! Living in South Africa I am extremely envious of all the gadgets and gizmos freely available in the US. It’s no wonder crafting is so huge there!! What an awesome prize!!
Ann F says
Thanks for offering this great giveaway. I’d love to win the Silhouette machine.
Tena A Helms says
Oh I would LOVE one of these machines. I have so much in mind that I could do please put me in the chance to win. Would love it!! Thanks Again
Marlene Conner says
This looks like toooo much fun for all sorts of cards and scrapbooking!
anne lanto says
such a great machine 😀 would love to have one too to make my cards and letters more special 😀
Brigette D McGarrah says
I would love to win.
Erica says
How neat!!
Annamarie Dodge says
i am such an artsy craftsy person, this would be fantastic for me, unfortumately being as i am unemployed, i have no way of affording this little goodie….so would love to win one!! what a neat way to do crafts with my son!
Beth says
Looks very cool. Sure would save so much time in our household.
Katherine Babcock says
I have drooled over the Silhouette for a long time – what a great product! This review is well written and clear, Heather…and just makes me want a Silhouette even more. 🙂
I really hope I’m doing this right – I can’t imagine how cool it would be to finally own one. I wouldn’t sleep for eons as I played and played! 🙂
Jamie says
How exciting– I’ve been totally wanting one of these since I first heard of them! Thanks for the giveaway!
Wendy says
The silhouette looks pretty easy to use and amazingly fexible. I’m crossing my fingers and toes
Debbie Yandell says
I have been wanting to get into scrapbooking, this would do it. I have 6 grandkids and alot of pictures. This would also help make your own cards. The no cartridges to buy is great!
Debbie Linton says
I would love to own a Silhouette! Great project too!
Kerry Williamson says
Is this only open to those in the States?
If not PLEASE put me down for an entry… I live in South Australia
Cindy says
Oh wow! Doesn’t this look just fabulous! I’ve heard good things about the Silhouette, especially about it’s clean cuts of intricate designs! Sure would love to find out first hand ;).