Silhouette review and GIVEAWAY!

The below post is a review, as well as a giveaway event that is now over.
I hope you find the review helpful!

 Congrats Rachelle!

You've been watching me make my vintage styled signs. If you wish you had a gadget to help you achieve the same pro like output, you don't have to wait any longer. You have a chance at winning and purchasing one for a great deal this week!

Step right up and let me show you around the wonderful world of the...

  Silhouette!

What is it?

 

 The Silhouette is a digital cutting tool.  It connects to your computer just like a printer, but instead of printing designs it cuts them with a small blade. With the machine connected to your computer, you have access to all your fonts plus all kinds of designs from the Silhouette Online Store. This allows you to create your own custom designs.

What can it make?

What intrigued me most was the fact that this little machine is a major multi-tasker.  While my own pro sign making equipment can only make decals, this can create:

• Scrapbook pages
• Cards
• Custom apparel
• Vinyl décor
• Etched glass
• Sketch designs
• Temporary tattoos
• Paper crafts

How does it work?

 

Whatever you draw on your computer screen transfers to the cutting machine. The results are quick and VERY professional.

Is it easy to use?

 Yes, it's easy, but it's a little involved.

As someone that uses drawing programs all the time, I know how innovative cutting software can be. Even me knowing what I'm doing had me wowing and having to read about all the possibilities this little machine is packed with.

There is a learning curve on how the software works. But it's just like anything else. Read, play and learn it. It isn't hard. It just requires a bit of your time and experimentation. The manual is very well written and instructional DVD is exceptional and easy to understand so that is a massive bonus.

The unit is both PC and Mac compatible. And it was a breeze to install and hook up on my mac. Massive bonus! I'm so not a geek. I actually got all giddy when I got it to run first try...

 Contents

It came with:

cutting blade and special caps
all the cords necessary (USB hookup)
dvd software
dvd instructions
two special cutting mats
and a 'monthly special' bonus material of some type if you purchase during a promo event

This unit is compact! It's smaller than a printer so it can easily sit beside a computer without issue.

And I just love that it was ready to to plug and play. No extra wires were needed for purchase. LOVE that.

How it works

Let's do a paper sample. I'd have done a tattoo sample (this month's promo) but the stock is stuck in our current mail strike. Ah well. Anyway...

The DVD got watched, the unit got plugged in and the software got loaded. The paper was put into the machine and the drawing began.

And yes, it was straight forward enough for my 12 yr old son to figure out. :)

This is called a paper carrier. You peel back this liner and place your chosen material (in this case card stock) on the clear part which is sticky. This is what keeps your own chosen paper in place while you feed it through the machine.

 This is what the software looks like on a 27" monitor. You type in what you desire and play around. 

ie: I broke up the letters in Funky Junk so I could bounce each one.

But let's start a little simpler.

 I typed out cody. When you click on the red outline of the text, the size is revealed.

Resizing is easy. You click on a corner, then pull out.

 

The screen now reveals your new size. You will cut the exact size of your drawing.

This is the cutting result. Your paper is stuck to that sticky liner keeping everything in place. Perfectly clean cuts!

And cutting paper is only a start. There's all kinds of other things the machine cuts as well, including vinyl! No worries... I'll be showing you what I make as I try things out.

My summary

Wow. I still have lots to learn. So much so that I didn't get anything cool made with the unit yet. I'm only half way through the dvd!

The software program itself is pretty amazing and can do many MANY of the same steps my own sign software costing hundreds of dollars does. This machine is a really good price for what it does! The software alone is worth the dollar amount IMO.

Pros

- the manual is well written and easy to use

- the instructional dvd is a must to view and is quite thorough, although lengthly

- the unit is compact enough to have next to your computer without issue

- seamless operation to the online store within the software... that's cool.

- the Silhouette is also available in Canada. You can check availability HERE.

Cons

 - you will need to spend some time playing. Not all the possibilities are documented which I think would be impossible anyway

- I'm thinking size restriction may be a tricky factor if you like working on BIG projects but I'm not that far yet. I'll update this as I learn how to do more.

- online videos would be cool, but I suppose that's what the dvd is for. :)

- no monthly sales promotion for Canada

Monthly specials

Each month, Silhouette puts on specials allowing you to get the machine at a huge discount. (US only) They also generally include some kind of materials to play with as well. This month was temporary tattoos. :) 

This month's special

1 Silhouette SD

2 Packages Temporary Tattoo Paper

for $199 

(US only)

  

That’s a $120 savings! Plus...

25% off all other products 

in the Silhouette shop (excluding gift cards and download codes) 

The promo will run June 21-29.  

Use code FUNKY JUNK to get the deal.

Giveaway!

Silhouette is generously offering you a  

Silhouette SD cutting machine kit 
and 2 sheets of tattoo paper!

US AND Canada this round! Thanks Silhouette!

How to enter

 Tell me in comments why you'd like to win a Silhouette and you're in!

  "Like" Silhouette on Facebook and comment to enter again!

Blog, tweet or facebook about the giveaway and comment to enter again!

The giveaway will run June 21 - 27 midnight Pacific.

The winner will be drawn by random.org and will be announced on the 28th.

Didn't win? You still have an extra day to purchase one at that hot deal!

The winner must have an email activated in their blog profile. 

If you don't have a blog, please include your email with your comment.

Learn how to activate your email HERE

Good luck friends!

Silhouette gave me this machine so I could try it out. All my opinions are truthful and my own. I took it on in hopes of finding an affordable pro solution for the DIY crowd.


This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all that have entered!