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I can't afford a cameo. I see this machine in available on overstock at 149 for bundle. If you have one what do you like or not like ? I mainly want to make cuts for cards and make stickers. Can the machine mKe stickers?
I have only used the Portrait (which is what I own). I love it!! I use it almost exclusively for cards. I don't use vinyl for home decorating, but have used some heat transfer for a t-shirt. As far as I know, you can do anything with the Portrait that you can with the Cameo, except that the working/cutting surface is smaller on the Portrait. I have even made boxes on it that were designed for the larger Cameo by building in a "tabbed seam" to glue the pieces together.
Things I like specifically:
I like the smaller footprint of the Portrait. I don't have a lot of room, and the Portrait takes up much less space.
It was much more affordable for me and works fine for what I want to use it for. I had never used/seen one in person. I DID research it on-line before I bought, but it was easier for me to take the leap with the less expensive Portrait.
I have not tried making stickers, but I'm sure they would work fine.
Silhouette America is having its best bundle sale of the year RIGHT NOW. Check out there.
It is a little harder to find supplies locally (at least where I live) for the Portrait than for the Cameo, but I can order supplies from JoAnn's on sale at a much cheaper price than through Silhouette.
A lot of files out on the web need the 12" width. If you don't anticipate wanting to make 3D items, the smaller one would work. I had the original Silhouette and recently got the Brother Scan N Cut which I love. I gave the Silhouette to my niece who is a teacher.
I am making all of my Christmas packaging this year. So much fun and is using up a bunch of 12x12 paper I have laying around.
Good luck on your decision. You will be happy either way.
I purchased a 'Used Once' Original Silhouette a couple of years ago. the lady I bought it from found the software too frustrating to learn. I watched youtube and learned a LOT about the software and I've never looked back.
I LOVE the little work horse!! It is the same size as the Portrait, same everything...far as I know. And it cuts fabric and paper beautifully!
Now I've moved into Scrapbooking, Quilting and 3-D projects from just Card Making, so ordered my Cameo2 earlier this week. I have found SilAmerica customer service to be excellent. When my computer died, they walked me thru getting all my images back.
My only regret at this point is I have unused mats and unused Pixscan for the little Sil and can't use them with the Cameo.
You will NOT regret getting either the Cameo or the Portrait!
edited to add: I LOVE that it is LITE weight, easy to carry to a crop or from room to room. And it takes up a LOT less space!
Last edited by CottageBliss; 11-27-2015 at 04:58 PM..
Reason: forgot to say something
I have the original Silhouette that I rarely use for anything but scrapbook page titles. I have not taken the time to fully learn the software and none of my scrapbooking friends were able to help because they all invested in the Cricut and its cartridges.
I probably would have put more energy into learning the software if it was a 12x12 machine, but it cuts only 8.5 x 11, which means that I'm limited in what I can do for my scrapbook pages. I would love to eventually get a Cameo so that I can cut 12" borders and use a full sheet of 12x12 DSP.
But if you don't work on the large pages, you'll probably find the Portrait will fit your needs. I wonder if the Portrait cutting sheets will work with my old Silhouette. The old style carrier sheets are no longer available. I had to buy a cricut sheet, cut it down and tape the edge with masking tape. Not ideal.
I purchased a 'Used Once' Original Silhouette a couple of years ago. the lady I bought it from found the software too frustrating to learn. I watched youtube and learned a LOT about the software and I've never looked back.
I LOVE the little work horse!! It is the same size as the Portrait, same everything...far as I know. And it cuts fabric and paper beautifully!
Now I've moved into Scrapbooking, Quilting and 3-D projects from just Card Making, so ordered my Cameo2 earlier this week. I have found SilAmerica customer service to be excellent. When my computer died, they walked me thru getting all my images back.
My only regret at this point is I have unused mats and unused Pixscan for the little Sil and can't use them with the Cameo.
You will NOT regret getting either the Cameo or the Portrait!
edited to add: I LOVE that it is LITE weight, easy to carry to a crop or from room to room. And it takes up a LOT less space!
I have the original Silhouette too, and I love it! I might be interested in buying those mats from you. If you're interested in selling them, please PM me. Have fun with your new machine!
I have a Cameo and the Brother Scan n cut. Love them both for different reasons. There are some smoking bundle offers on silhouetteamerica.com. one comes with FREE Mint!
I have the original Silhouette too, and I love it! I might be interested in buying those mats from you. If you're interested in selling them, please PM me. Have fun with your new machine!
Thanks! Ya know, I am going to sell it and probably will sell it as a bundle since I have the Pixscan and other mats.
I must admit, it is difficult to let go of a good machine but I know it would just sit on my table and whine.
Thanks! Ya know, I am going to sell it and probably will sell it as a bundle since I have the Pixscan and other mats.
I must admit, it is difficult to let go of a good machine but I know it would just sit on my table and whine.
Mine has sat for years and I even have over 3000 files in it back from the unlimited subscription time. I now have a scan n cut which is so much easier for me. My computer is not in my craft room so being independent of the computer for scanning and cutting images is awesome. I use it almost daily.
Silhouette has a new home with my niece who is thrilled to have it. Nephew is thrilled she has something without having to buy it! Win win!
What I see is that these machines are LONG term workers....is why I bought the Cameo.
BUT. this time of year you should be able to get a Cameo for the price of a Portrait! Craft Direct dot com and Amazon are having great sales!
I will say, in response to Cwmwcw, awesome you can use the Brother SNC with no computer...I love my Cricut for that very reason. I've heard it is a great machine!
Sil America is Beta testing the Silhouette Link which should enable most tablets, Kindles, Phones to cut.
I wonder if the Portrait cutting sheets will work with my old Silhouette. The old style carrier sheets are no longer available. I had to buy a cricut sheet, cut it down and tape the edge with masking tape. Not ideal.
I have used the new Portrait mats for a while now with no problems. They are sure a bit thinner than the original ones, aren't they. But, I also kept hearing not to use the Cricut ones. Ugh, you never know sometimes.
Thoughts on the silhouette portrait
