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!!
Kelly Marsland says
This seems like such an awesome prize to win! this product would come so in handy!
Julie says
What a fabulous giveaway!
Kathy Barnett says
Wow! This looks so cool. My daughter and I love to make cards and this would make it so much more fun!
Sandi Daub says
This looks like a terrific machine! Hope you’re having lots of fun with it. I would love to win this.
Judy Tressler says
This looks great! I am new to crafting and this would reallt help me gather my fun stuff. I hope I win!!!
Mary says
Wonderful job for your first project. Looks like you have been working with one for some time. I have wanted a die cut machine for a while now, so here’s keeping everything but my eyes crossed for chance on winning this.
lisa c says
oh! oh! i want this!
Krista r says
I have had the silhouette only wish list since it first came out they look awesome!!!!! I love the Alice In Wonderland card!!!!!!!
Sorry it’s on my wish list not “only” my wish list……typo!!!!
Krista r says
Sorry it’s on my wish list not “only” my wish list……typo!!!!
Ann says
Oh, I love, love, love this machine. I have such a crafting world to fill with all that this could do.
Ruby Ingram says
I have 2 die cut machines, but the cartridges are something else to buy. Can’t always use the images on them. This is great. Save time and money. Would love it. Hope I win.
Janey says
Just had a baby and would love to have fun using this for her scrapbook! What a cool tool!
arlene f says
I’ve been wanting one for so long. And now that I have a little girl, the craft possibilities are endless!
JUDY HILL says
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS ITEM. MY GRAND DAUGHTER JUST STARTED CRAFTING AND SHE WOULD LOVE IT A LOT.
Renee says
I would love to have one of these. So many possibilities…
Michel E says
Thanks for the tutorial. No one has done one that in depth. Love the card.
Melissa says
what an exciting opportunity. I can think of so many ways I could use this machine.
keira says
Wow that looks so awesome! This would be so handy in some card making! <3
Korie says
I would love to move to the next level in papercrafting – this machine would be a great help in that.
Love your Alice card. Adorable!
Thanks for the giveaway!
nicole burris says
I want one of these so bad!
Laura says
This would be so fun to use! Thanks for the opportunity to win it!!
Genevieve says
Wow. The possibilities are endless with this beauty. Keeping my fingers crossed for this one. Lol
Vanessa says
Oh my goodness, I would love to have one of these!!!
Granny says
This is a great giveaway. The possibilitites are endless with this machine. Pick me, pick me……thanks
Ruth Hill says
Would love to win. Definitely enter me.
Shelly says
I’ve seen Silhouettes being given away on a couple of other blogs and vie been dying to get one. Alas, fate hasn’t smiled upon me. Here I am, crossing all the fingers on my hands hoping that this time will be the one!
Karen says
Amazing machine…what an opportunity to unleash one’s creativity!
brenda says
Oooh, I have been looking at this machine for awhile, but just can’t afford it right now. This would be wonderful. I totally love the card. Alice is one of my favorite characters. Thanks for review and showing your card.
Elva Hughes says
Love your Alice in Wonderland card. This machine is great because it can be used for so much more than other cutting machines.
Brian says
My mother would love one of these, would save her a lot of time!
Lisa M says
oh drool!! I have been wanting a digital cutting machine for a bit now! Would love to win this! Thank you for doing the giveaway!
Constance L says
What a great little machine, it can really get the creative juices flowing.
constancelavery at msn dot com
cathie watt says
this is AWESOME and I could so many wonderful projects with it thanks for a chance to win
carol says
I am a big scrapper and would love to own this machine…I would be able to do great things with it…
Mary Francisco says
The possibilities could be endless! How wonderful.Gotta have it!
Bibiana says
I would LOVE to win a Silhouette machine. I could do so many things with this machine, I scrapbook a lot with my daughter so we would both be very excited!
Tammy Thompson says
Wow, I can think of dozens of things I can do with this!! Between crafting & sewing for my family and friends and the things I could do around the house,I would really love to win one.
Marilyn says
This is awesome.. A must product 🙂
ANN WEIR says
I would so love this 😀
Marilyn D. says
This is awesome.. A must have product 🙂
Tiffany says
I’m so intrigued by this product!
Renee says
I would love to win!! Put my name in the hat please!
Susan Spiers says
WOW! What a great giveaway! Ideas are whirling around in my head! Thank you!
Lauren Frost says
so cute! Great for making greeting cards!
Kelly Massman says
What a great giveaway! Thanks so much for a chance to win!
Annette Wallingford says
Wow!!! What a way to craft! All my wildest creations can come true! I love to craft, I love to make Cards, Journals, Wedding Invitations, and the idea of making my home more me, priceless!
I would LOVE to have a Silhouette Machine! Thank You for the opportunity to win a Silhouette. You people ROCK!
Barb says
Never thought I would want something like this till I was at a friend’s house a couple weeks ago… what fun!
Mimi says
Holy smokes this is an awesome giveaway… I would die for one of those (pun intended!!) Thanks for the chance!
Ruth says
What a great review. It was concise yet thorough and I can “hear” the excitement in your words. I didn’t know such a machine existed! I love the idea of not having to purchase cartridges to go with it. I just received the competitor’s machine for my birthday last week. As we are moving, its still in the box, no cartridges purchased for it yet. I’d love to win this machine and donate the one I received to my local church school. Keeping my fingers crossed!
kyla says
I would love this! My mom and I would both use it so much for scrapbooking and card making!
irshsmil9 @ yahoo.com