Does anyone use a Silhouette cameo cutter?

[Buttonmouse]

Just curious, if you do? do you like it? recommend it? I mostly just do cards and have a cricut which I find too tedious to use.

Thank you!!

[buddy'smama]

I have the silhouette portrait and I LOVE it!

I didn't want a cricut because I didn't like the fact that I had to buy a whole cartridge for only one or two images I wanted or liked.

Each week the silhouette on-line store has a free image for that week. They also have images that are half-price. Most of the images are only .99 cents to begin with.

The only regret that I have is not buying it sooner.

[ailhelen]

Hope you dont mind my high jacking your question.
I have been thinking I would like to get one also but wondered how much use Iwould get out of it.
I assume it has to be connected to a computer. How often do the blades need to be replaced and the cutting mats? What is technicalsupport like? And the most important question for me is 'will I be able to use straight away', as in is it basic in its set up or do I need to read an intense manual to learn the ins and outs first.

[Leona2025]

I love my silhouette. I use it on every project. I've had it since October and I have not changed the blade yet. I love that you can just find an image online for free and print and cut.

For the mats I use the cricket 12x12s. They are sturdier and cheaper! I have never used tech support. Also I think there is a little bit of a learning curve. You have to figure out which techniques work best for y ou. I thought I would be able to use it straight out the box without reading any instructions, lol.

Overall it took me about a day or two to really get it right. I didn't read the instructions but did watch a few youtube tutorials. I do practice cuts on plain printer paper before making all my real cuts.

[klh54]

I have had my Cameo since Nov. 2011 and love it. Silhouette America's support is outstanding. They are patient and kind...they answered all my questions with a smile. Love the online store!! I do use their mats now...when I had the first Silhouette I did buy Cricut mats. I think the blade life depends on the kind of material you will be using. If it's just regular cardstock they last a very long time, but glitter paper and things like that will definitely dull a blade quicker.
What I love is that Silhouette has a few really good "stock up" sales through out the year and that's when I buy more mats and blades.

Here is their support page info for tutorials, etc. http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/resources

It is very basic to set up, if you know how to use a computer then working with their software is easy (it comes with 50 images, if memory serves me right) so you can cut within minutes of setting it up.
Make sure you join the yahoo group silhouetteusers. One of the gals has a youtube channel and she makes everything super easy to understand...her youtube name is cleversomeday.

hth
Kathy

[ailhelen]

Thanks ladies thats brilliant information. Think I might need to print up information and stick all over the house to let my loving family know what I want for my birthday next week. Nothing like a prompt or two hey!

[connie leone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buttonmouse

Just curious, if you do? do you like it? recommend it? I mostly just do cards and have a cricut which I find too tedious to use.

Thank you!!

To: Buttonmouse! I just wanted to jump in and say that as I'm mainly a card maker myself I ordered the Silhouette Portrait and it should be delivered TODAY!! Looking forward to seeing that big brown truck stop at my house. I had a cricut which really never got used, the price of the carts. and storing them too so with that said I sold it and bought the silhouette!

Happy Mothers Day to me!!

[Cook22]

You'll find a whole long chat thread with plenty of input and ideas over in the Tool & Product forum ;-).
Here's a link for you - Silhouette (Cameo) Chatter by Joan B at Splitcoaststampers

(I don't have one, but my DH has wanted a cutter like this for years!)

[HeatherHolbrook]

I also have the Portrait since I'm mostly a card maker too and I LOVE it! I've had it since it first came out and use it all the time.

[ailhelen]

Well I obviously hinted enough cause a Sihouette Portrait is on its way to my house as a combined Mothers Day and birthday (next week) present.

[prairiecrafter]

I have a Cricuit and Silhouette Portrait. I am so happy with my Silhouette. Love the free cut each week, the many sales they have and the idea I only have to buy one cut. My Cricuit gets used sometimes, but the Portrait sits out all the time and is used for both cards and scrapbooking.