I mentioned wanting a Silhouette SD a few months ago after reading Melissa’s review of it, and much to my delight the company sent one to me to try out. Well I’ve been having so much fun with mine that I thought you might want one too, so I’m giving one away! Details are at the end of this post, but first let me show you a couple of things that I’ve made with it and tell you about my experience with the machine.
You know the little vinyl stick figure families that mark the back windows of minivans throughout suburbia? Yeah, this is my take on that. More modern, less cutesy.
I used Adobe Illustrator to trace a silhouette of us, basing it on a photo from the shoot by James Julius. Of course, it’s only going to be accurate for another six months and then I’ll have to make a new one for my family of four.
I also framed Eleanor’s silhouette (the same silhouette I drew for her first birthday invitations) against a sheet of patterned paper.
So cute, right? And I could think of a million more things to make too… I especially like the idea of using it to make a stencil for decorating a pan of brownies with powdered sugar, but I think that’s just because I’ve been craving chocolate lately. ;)
My Review of the Silhouette SD
The machine itself is small, sleek, and well-designed. The interface is easy, and I had no problems following the directions to get the machine up and running. The software is not Mac friendly, but there is an Adobe Illustrator plugin for Mac users (and a helpful tutorial here). I like to make my own designs anyway, so the Illustrator compatibility is perfect for me.
I was impressed by the Silhouette SD’s accuracy and ability to cut finely detailed images. I found only two drawbacks: the machine is noisy when cutting, and the sticky cutting mats attract hair and dust particles like crazy. Certainly not deal breakers, but worth mentioning.
I’m pretty excited about all of the things I can make, so I’m really pleased with the machine. There are tons of ideas and tips on the Silhouette SD site, shop, and blog. I’m not sure how the PC software works, but if you use Adobe Illustrator like I do then you can use any font or vector image you like. Nice.
Enter to Win a Silhouette SD
If you would like to win a Silhouette SD of your own, just leave a comment on this post (one entry per person). This giveaway, open to US residents only, includes: A Silhouette Machine (a $299.99 value), software for Windows XP/Vista, power cable and USB cable, two cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media), one cutting blade, $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store. One winner will be chosen randomly on August 31.
And if you just can’t wait to see if you’ve won, I also have an awesome promo for you (good from August 23 through September 1 at midnight). If you buy a Silhouette cutting machine and enter the discount code “lovely“, you’ll get all of the above plus the following for $249.99: $50 off the Silhouette Craft Cutter, fuzzy white vinyl (valued at $7.99), light blue smooth heat transfer (valued at 14.99), yellow flocked heat transfer (valued at $14.99), and a home décor CD (valued at $50). That’s a total savings of $137.97!
You can also use the code “lovely” from September 2 through September 4 for a good discount of $50 off your machine, two cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media), one cutting blade, $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store, plus two free rolls of heat transfer (a total savings of $79.98).
Good luck! I’d love to know what you’d make with your Silhouette SD. And what did you think of my projects? Would you rock a family car decal like mine? Too close to the ubiquitous stick figures? Or do you (gasp) prefer the stick figures?
August 31: Comments (and entries) are now closed. The randomly chosen winner is Renanda (renparks). Congratulations, Renanda!
Denise
August 25, 2010 at 9:42 amI like your car decals so much better. I would love one of these and it is on my xmas list for santa to bring. I want to make vinyls for the walls in my house and to put on a few goodwill find plates and platters.
Leila Ames
August 25, 2010 at 2:52 pmCan I just say that I blog-stalk you at least twice a week? You inspired me to attempt sewing my own window curtains (work-in-progress) and I adore your unique eye for color and collections. Thank you for all the lovely advice!
Laur
August 25, 2010 at 9:58 amI have been drooling over this machine for what seems like forever – winning one would be beyond awesome!
Chelsey @ 4th&Folded
August 25, 2010 at 10:00 amI’ve been dying to get one of these!
Manda
August 25, 2010 at 10:21 amI totally want this to get my craft on!! I love your car decal…may have to steal that idea!!
Robyn
August 25, 2010 at 10:28 amI love your decal! So much classier than those stick fingers. I have about ten million paper crafting projects I could use a Silhouette on!
brianne sheppard
August 25, 2010 at 10:31 amOh Oh OH! This would be amazing!!!! Also.. I have so many wedding ideas for this…from the invites to the magnets for the Save the dates to the Wall decor at the reception site! Even the Favors! Make my dream come true!
Kaitlin
August 25, 2010 at 10:32 amLove the decal- very cool. I also read that they are soon to be releasing a Mac compatible version…which I am *im*patiently waiting for :)
coley
August 25, 2010 at 10:38 amhow amazing! i would love one of these! we used silhouette’s for our wedding.
Parakh
August 25, 2010 at 10:39 amthis would be a FANTASTICALLY AWESOME addition to my arsenal of paper altering toys! Gimmie! (please)
Kelly
August 25, 2010 at 10:42 amLove the decal in your car! Thanks for a great giveaway!
Rita Jo
August 25, 2010 at 10:52 amI want one! I love using Illustrator as well.
Stephanie
August 25, 2010 at 11:03 amAfter seeing the silhouette you made of Eleanor I made silhouettes for my husband for father’s day. I made images of my husband, me, our baby, and our dog on white paper and mounted them in a black shadow box. Really cute. Considering that I traced the images from my computer screen and cut them out by hand, the Silhouette SD would be so much more awesome. Hope I win!
Jessica
August 25, 2010 at 11:04 amI would LOVE one of these. I wouldn’t put a family decal on my car though. I’m not a bumper sticker or any other kind of sticker on the car person. I love reading them off of other people’s cars though.
Victoria
August 25, 2010 at 11:10 amI would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this FABULOUS machine!!!!
I LOVE the sticker on the car..it’s so cute!! and a really good idea!!
Susan
August 25, 2010 at 11:12 amWhat fun!! I would love to make cards and gifts.
Lauren
August 25, 2010 at 11:17 amThis is amazing! I have endless ideas for a machine like this.
Erin
August 25, 2010 at 11:21 amWow, I can just imagine a million things I could do with this. Thanks for the review. Crossing my fingers!
Shelly
August 25, 2010 at 11:25 amI would love to win this giveaway! I would use it all the time.
caitlin
August 25, 2010 at 11:25 amWhat a cool toy! SO many possibilities…
chelsea alexander
August 25, 2010 at 11:26 amI love the silhouette and really really want one! It’s on my Christmas list now. I love that I can use them to make onesies. can’t wait to try the heat transfers
heather
August 25, 2010 at 11:34 amWhat a great give-away!
Ashley S..
August 25, 2010 at 11:38 amI always love what you post! Thanks for an awesome give-away! =]
elizabeth
August 25, 2010 at 11:43 ami would so love one of these!
Wendy
August 25, 2010 at 11:45 amPick Me! Pick Me!
I would love to win one of these :-)
Tara Jane
August 25, 2010 at 11:48 amWow look at all these posts. Your projects are super fun. I would love to play too.
AnEmily
August 25, 2010 at 12:24 pmIdea overdrive!
Phuong
August 25, 2010 at 12:30 pmSo awesome! :)
Rikki Craven
August 25, 2010 at 12:32 pmI would DIE for one of these…We are expecting our first little baby…a baby GIRL- Sloane Elisabeth. I just LOVE your take on the family car decal. I am not a fan of the stick figure ones, but would totally rock one like yours (after baby weight comes off, right?) ha :)
Debra Leslie
August 25, 2010 at 12:32 pmHow fun is this machine?! I would let my sister, the photographer, use it to make beautiful creations for family and friends.
Tammi P
August 25, 2010 at 12:34 pmohhhhhhhhhhhhh this looks like fun! I can just imagine all the things i could do.
Sarah
August 25, 2010 at 12:44 pmThis is the sort of thing I would have assumed was a gimmick, but I’m glad to hear it really works well! I would love to own one!
Mary
August 25, 2010 at 1:00 pmI love what you did with the silhouettes using your Silhouette machine! There are so many things I’d love to do with my own if I win this giveaway.
Tracie W
August 25, 2010 at 1:00 pmIsn’t it crazy how these things work? I would love to own one!
Cora D
August 25, 2010 at 1:05 pmTo be perfectly frank, if I win, I’ll likely gift it to an amazingly talented friend of mine who does so much for her friends, family and community. She will do far more creative things with it than I ever will.
april
August 25, 2010 at 1:11 pmThis machine is so awesome! I’ve done silhouettes of the BF and I that are hanging in our living room. Imagine all the trouble I could get into with this.
jenny
August 25, 2010 at 1:12 pmI would love to win! I am obsessed with silhouettes but it seems like so much work to make one by hand. Did I mention my birthday is coming up?
Aimee
August 25, 2010 at 1:14 pmI looooooooove your car decals! I have been really wondering how the Silhouette does with AI/vectors; yours is the first review to actually address that, so thanks!
I’ve been lusting over these for quite a while now–been working on sort of Joseph Cornell inspired pieces with paper-cut landscapes and bits of things. This would certainly save my finger joints from X-acto-itus.
My birthday is September 2 (30, how time flies!), so if I am not lucky enough to win, I think I might just be ordering a little b-day gift for myself. :)
Lisa
August 25, 2010 at 1:16 pmWhat a fun new “toy” to experiment with. I can already start thinking about all of the possibilities. Just another way to make all of our craft dreams become a reality!
Gabrielle
August 25, 2010 at 1:18 pmI would love to win one!
katie
August 25, 2010 at 1:20 pmI love your car decal. I’m not a big stick figure fan but yours really has personality. It’s a beautiful baby on board sign too.
What would I do with a Silhouette? I would make cards, scrapbook pages, Ts N Totes, glass etched candle holders and plates. Gifts galore and a bit of money selling my designs to my scrapping buddies who think the other machine’s a good deal.
Danielle OB
August 25, 2010 at 1:26 pmI have been seeing these pop-up all over the web and my curiosity is officially piqued. I am not a big fan of car decals, but I love the idea of framing a silhouette of the family, side profiles are also pretty cool looking in a frame, and with Illustrator it should be a snap to do!
Thanks for offering up a chance for us to try this out as well.
Teri
August 25, 2010 at 1:26 pmAmazing giveaway! I would love one…so much fun things to do with it!!
Leigh lewis
August 25, 2010 at 1:36 pmPick me pick me! What a nifty idea!
Valerie
August 25, 2010 at 1:54 pmVery cool little gadget. I wonder how fast blades get dull. Somebody may have addressed that issue here somewhere but with over 1000 comments I’m not sure I have the kind of time it would take for sifting. Best of luck with the new baby. My family has expanded at almost the same rate…and with similar dates as yours. My son was born on 4/20/09 and our new baby boy is due in early January. Do you know what you are having yet? Best wishes! ~Valerie
Mike
August 25, 2010 at 2:00 pmWow…I never knew this existed. Looks incredible.
Tobi
August 25, 2010 at 2:00 pmThanks so much for the chance to win, I have been wanting one so much, for so long! I hope I win!
Amanda
August 25, 2010 at 2:05 pmI would LOVE to “rock” a decal like your’s on my car. We recently bought a new vehicle and I’ve always admired the cute stick people decals but your’s beats those out of the water. It is truly personal and VERY you! I would love to win one and make my very own cute family into a decal!
Barbara
August 25, 2010 at 2:05 pmOMG, I just found your blog and would love, love to win a silhouette machine. I would do some of those beautiful stickers for my cars although it would be long trail with hubby and my four daughters. Would love to create many vinyl projects the silhouette is capable of doing. Love the give away.
beth lemon
August 25, 2010 at 2:26 pmI think it would be amazing to win one of these.
Cheryl
August 25, 2010 at 2:29 pmI would LOVE to win this. I want to make the car decal like you have, and I can already envision all of the adorable invitations that I can make with this!
Jessica J.
August 25, 2010 at 2:30 pmI LOVE your car decal! What a great idea.
I’m crossing my fingers to win to make decals of my own. :)
Kristi C.
August 25, 2010 at 2:33 pmI can see the projects piling up. There is so much I could do with this awesome machine!
Amanda
August 25, 2010 at 2:41 pmLove your car decal, too cute!! I’m totally drooling over this machine and all of the amazing stuff it can do! My fingers are certainly crossed … in fact so are my toes!
Jennifer
August 25, 2010 at 3:06 pmI love your decal. Since my car’s name is Tom (Selleck) I might just rock a mustache instead though. Would love to get my hands one of these awesome machines. Thanks for the chance to win and as always, the lovely inspiration.
MissJillian
August 25, 2010 at 3:08 pmowning a silhouette cutting machine sure would save my poor fingers. i make cards and cut all the pieces by hand right now. it would be great to save my fingers and branch out to more intricate designs too.
Jennifer
August 25, 2010 at 3:17 pmThere is so much I could do with this!
Laurie M.
August 25, 2010 at 3:35 pmOh I’d love one of these. Too cool!!
Jennifer
August 25, 2010 at 3:43 pmI would love one of these awesome machines!!!
Abbie
August 25, 2010 at 4:08 pmI’ve been anxious to get my hands on one of these. Oh the project possibilities…
DJ
August 25, 2010 at 4:18 pmI need this immediately, before silhouettes are no longer in style!
I definitely prefer your decal — I’m especially glad you didn’t portray Mickey Mouse ears and an indication of whatever shmancy job you and your husband have – to me that screams, “WE’RE RICH AND WE GO TO DISNEY A LOT! COME ROB US PLEASE!”
Chanda
August 25, 2010 at 4:26 pmI want one of these soooooo bad! Pick me!
Amy B.
August 25, 2010 at 4:27 pmSo glad you reviewed this — I’ve been wondering how it was!
jkc
August 25, 2010 at 4:51 pmThanks for the review…I’ve wondered about how it worked in a “real world” setting. Now that I’ve read your positive review, I would LOVE to win this!!!
Megan F
August 25, 2010 at 4:53 pmFABULOUS! I had heard about the Silhouette SD before, and love to see all of the fun you are having with it so far! I am ready to create some flower cut-out garlands to hang in the trees and decorate the tables for my upcoming wedding with matching floral scapes for the invitations. How much handier that cutting designs out by hand with an x-acto knife!
Paty Fontes
August 25, 2010 at 5:03 pmThat’s so nice!!!! I love it! I was inspired by you siljoutte and made one for my baby. I need to get a tablet, tough….
Misse
August 25, 2010 at 5:19 pmI would love this machine for work (wedding planning) and fun (nursery)!
kelly
August 25, 2010 at 5:20 pmoh my gosh, I love your car decal you made! I usually hate those but yours is so classy. And GREAT giveaway, I would love to win!!!
Deanna
August 25, 2010 at 5:26 pmI would absolutely LOVE this machine. Endless possibilities!
Michelle
August 25, 2010 at 5:35 pmAwesome! I would love to win this Silhouette Machine!
Joellyn
August 25, 2010 at 5:53 pmI have always wanted one…sign me up! :) Love your blog, btw.
Brenda
August 25, 2010 at 6:21 pmWould love to get the chance to make the projects pictured
here!
jdzjane
August 25, 2010 at 6:23 pmOh, I really really want to win one of these!!! I could do soooo very much with it!
Amber M
August 25, 2010 at 6:24 pmI would LOVE to have this machine, it would come in so handy! I love your blog!! :)
Elle
August 25, 2010 at 6:30 pmI would like to make some traditional Danish papercuts, particularly for Christmas, like the ones my grandmother had, and are common in Denmark! (Ex. here: http://www.dkglobal.dk/product.asp?product=438) I just can’t be that accurate with an Exacto knife …
M Burke
August 25, 2010 at 6:57 pmLove this!
Kendra @ My First Kitchen
August 25, 2010 at 7:11 pmYour car decal is precious. You put those little stick figures to shame. If I win, totally rocking that out.
Lynn
August 25, 2010 at 7:14 pmoh man! i totally want one.
Charlene
August 25, 2010 at 7:33 pmThis is a great idea to try it and then give one away! My sister has one and she really likes it. All I can say is Pick me! Pick me!, haha.
Cherie
August 25, 2010 at 7:37 pmWow, awesome contest!
Also, congrats on the upcoming new addition. How exciting!
Sharon
August 25, 2010 at 7:55 pmWow… I love the silhouette stickers. This machine is awesome, I want one!
Amy
August 25, 2010 at 7:56 pmi’d love to win! count me in. :)
sherry
August 25, 2010 at 7:59 pmNew to your blog….love the give-away!
Chelsea Costa
August 25, 2010 at 8:00 pmThis is amazing! I’d make fun little projects for my new niece, Paige. I painted a hot air balloon mural in her nursery; I think some hot air balloon cut-out accents would be perfect.
brooke
August 25, 2010 at 8:05 pmooh, i would love to own the silhouette!
Ann
August 25, 2010 at 8:09 pmI have been drooling over this machine and would love to be able to do something 1/10 as nice as your stuff!
Allison Mistry
August 25, 2010 at 8:21 pmWant to make a car decal!!!!
Trice_DC
August 25, 2010 at 8:25 pmVery nice take on window decal! I have been stalking the Silhouette SD for sometime (e.g. attending retail craft nights just to hog it between other customers). The SD is on my not-too-subtle Xmas wishlist from the hubby. Or I may be able to convince my extended to give me a $150-worth of gift cards to the local store that carries it… which will let me feel like I got 50% discount!
Adrienne
August 25, 2010 at 8:31 pmThis is the coolest toy ever! I love your blog…just discovered it!
Beth
August 25, 2010 at 9:08 pmI love your decals! Boo to stick figures!
Ellen
August 25, 2010 at 9:27 pmSo cool! I’d use it for scrapbooking!
Lawanda
August 25, 2010 at 9:45 pmI would love to win this machine!!!
Amy
August 25, 2010 at 9:55 pmI would LOVE to have one of these. I can think of a million projects I could do with it.
(and I love your car stickers – they are SOOOO much better than the stick ones!)
CC Stanley
August 25, 2010 at 10:35 pmFun toy, what a great way to get your craft on!
CC Stanley
August 25, 2010 at 10:36 pmwrong email!!!
Silhouette Secret | How Does She...
August 25, 2010 at 10:49 pm[…] Making it Lovely […]
Gritt
August 25, 2010 at 11:01 pmwow, over a 1,000 comments already. I guess my chances are pretty slim. But this is too good of a deal not to give it a shot.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Michelle
August 25, 2010 at 11:03 pmI have been lusting after this ever since I first heard about it! I would be beyond thrilled to win this!
Christina
August 25, 2010 at 11:17 pmI want one!
Kelly
August 25, 2010 at 11:33 pmI’d never thought of making car decals…oh the fun I could have!
Yuvani
August 25, 2010 at 11:46 pmI would love to win! There are so many things I could use it for!
memelle
August 26, 2010 at 12:07 amoooo! i love your blog; i’m a lurker usually but thought i’d have a shot at the giveaway. xo