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!
rachel
August 26, 2010 at 12:09 amI just got married and would love this machine for a few silhouettes for our walls! I would LOVE to win!
Krissy
August 26, 2010 at 12:17 amThe silhouette you made is beautiful-I love the patterned paper. This would be so much fun to have. Thanks for the chance!
Jasmin
August 26, 2010 at 12:50 amI’d love to have one of these! My daughter’s nursery needs some decor above her crib. Wall decals would be perfect.
Bridget
August 26, 2010 at 12:56 amI love your window decal! So much classier than the old stick figures.
This is the second silhouette giveaway I’ve entered. Here’s hoping second time’s the charm!
Lynnette
August 26, 2010 at 1:26 amI would love to win this…my mind is racing with ideas already!!
nettecan@hotmail.com
Glenda Embree
August 26, 2010 at 1:29 amThe framed silhouette of your daughter is precious! Thanks for the opportunity to win a Silhouette!
Stacy Peaps
August 26, 2010 at 1:32 amSo, I’m not a fan of the stick-figure decals (ok honestly I’m not a fan of sticking anything to a car besides the oil-change reminder and registration stickers), but your silhouette (ha-ha) decal is cute, much nicer than the stick-figures. I have been coveting one of these handy machines for quite some time and am thrilled to see they now have Mac friendly software :D. I would love to win, but if not I’ve left a gazillion hints to hubby for a Christmas gift (they go something like this, “hey, you know what I would love for Christmas this year? A silhouette, nope not the mini-van and not the crazy cut-out heads of the kids, a fun craft machine, google it if you’re looking for a great idea for me”, hee hee, hope he figures it out :D )
Fun On A Dime Lady
August 26, 2010 at 1:43 amThis would be so much fun!!!
Kara Jo
August 26, 2010 at 1:52 amOh the possibilities!!! You car decals are the cutest ever. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the Silhouette tonight. {ha, i’m a dork, but it was worth a try}. Thanks for the chance.
Dawn
August 26, 2010 at 1:57 amI love what you did for your car decal; the stick figures are so…stick-y.
And I too would be on a decal roll if I won, I need to shamelessly pimp out my walls with lots of sayings.
Ashley
August 26, 2010 at 1:57 amThey have so many great ideas! I’d love to win this!
Nicole
August 26, 2010 at 1:59 amI would LOVE this machine!!! I love the vinyl on your car and the silhouette!
Michelle
August 26, 2010 at 2:01 amoh! I would love one… I wanna try out the etching.
Jennifer
August 26, 2010 at 2:10 amThanks for the awesome giveaway! I hope I’m lucky!
Mary
August 26, 2010 at 2:12 amI would love to win this!
Mary
August 26, 2010 at 2:12 amI would love to make the sillouettes!
CarrieMJ
August 26, 2010 at 2:36 amOh…wishing with all my might to win one!
flowerpower0097 at live dot com
Jannan
August 26, 2010 at 2:38 amohhhh! So cool! I would love to have one of these!
Kaelie Nielsen
August 26, 2010 at 2:40 amI have been craving this machine forever – my daughter’s nursery needs it badly since I have yet to finish it with a custom decal of her name. My house needs it because the walls are a bit bare. I need it because I love creating things with paper and I love creating things in general – the possibilities are endless!
Su C.
August 26, 2010 at 2:48 amI love your car decal and silhouette picture! As a scrapbooker, card maker and dabbler in many crafts, I would love to win a Silhouette! I think I’d start with vinyl wall decor for my granddaughter’s nursery. She is to be born in September.
Everythinggirly
August 26, 2010 at 3:03 amLOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!!! I can think of a million projects to do using the shilhouette.
Jenn
August 26, 2010 at 4:01 amI’ve been wishing for one of these! I’m so excited about this giveaway!
Raechel
August 26, 2010 at 5:36 amOoooooo please pick me! I would simply LOVE to have one of these beauties!
Su@The Intentional Home
August 26, 2010 at 5:42 amI can’t believe Silhouette is giving away more!! How very generous. My first project would be to download those cute bird outlines and put a few on the door frames, base mouldings, window sills of my house. They would make me smile and add a touch of whimsy and surprise. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Nora
August 26, 2010 at 5:53 amI would love to own a Silhouette so I could craft up some fun Christmas gifts!
GrannyCharlotte
August 26, 2010 at 5:55 amWhat a wonderful giveaway. I think that vinyl projects would be awesome to try. TFS.
Renae
August 26, 2010 at 5:58 amSo exciting!! I’ve been wanting one of these for SO long….thanks for the chance to win!
Patricia
August 26, 2010 at 6:06 amOh, please pick me, pick me. I want one of these so badly. I’m so anxious to play with vinyl. Thank you.
Dianna
August 26, 2010 at 6:06 amOh, how I want one of these! I hope I win!
Gwen B.
August 26, 2010 at 6:09 amI would love to win one of these machines. I need to have access to all those fonts on my computer that the silouhette gives you access to…its true I’m a font junkie!
Wendy
August 26, 2010 at 6:15 amOh my goodness, what a way to personalize a home without making it look “cookie cutter”. thanks for the opportunity to possibly try it out!
Danny
August 26, 2010 at 6:16 amMy wife wants this too! It would be a great 23rd anniversary present. She likes her crafts better than jewelry.
jamie
August 26, 2010 at 6:18 ami would use this for everything. EVERYTHING!! how could i not? first, i would get some heat/transfer vinyl stuff… then make some party paper things… then giggle uncontrollably. as for the stick figures on the car, umm no thanks. i wouldn’t make one of those gigantic, curly-q’d monograms either. i do like your modern family silhouette though.
Kate Smith
August 26, 2010 at 6:20 amI’ve heard only wonderful things about this machine! And I love what you did with it for your car – tremendously cuter than the store-bought silhouettes you see driving around!
Janice
August 26, 2010 at 6:23 amI would LOVE to win this Silhouette! Thanks for giving me a chance!
Paige
August 26, 2010 at 6:23 amI would LOVE to hav one of these!! I have been wanting one for a while, but can seem to bring myself to spend that kind of money. Let’s hope I am lucky!!
catherine
August 26, 2010 at 6:26 amI would love to own one of these…amazed at all the cute things I could make with it!
Karalee
August 26, 2010 at 6:26 amWould love to get my hands on this. I could do amazing things with a wonderful tool like this.
Karen R.
August 26, 2010 at 6:26 amI would really love to have one of these! So many possibilities to craft, where does the fun end?!
Trish Christie
August 26, 2010 at 6:32 amOOOH! I would LOVE an amazing machine like this! The possibilities are endless!
I do like your car decal, but not sure I could pull it off :)
What a great giveaway! (Hope I win)
Lynne
August 26, 2010 at 6:35 amI would love to have this machine!
Lorraine
August 26, 2010 at 6:37 amI love your car decals. I think I will make some of my own family if I win the silhouette!
Melanie
August 26, 2010 at 6:38 amSeriously so tired of the cheesy stick figures!!! The little family is just adorable. I hope I win!
maria
August 26, 2010 at 6:42 amI would LOVE LOVE LOVE one of these.
Christine
August 26, 2010 at 6:43 amNeat idea with the vinyl on the car, thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Sally
August 26, 2010 at 6:43 amI would LOVE to have one of these, I could use it for so many of my hundreds of projects :)
Kirstin
August 26, 2010 at 6:51 amI was just telling the hubby how much I wanted one of these!!!!! The vinyl on the back of the car sooo cute! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!!!!
candie
August 26, 2010 at 6:52 amI would love one of these. I could use it for school where I volunteer and I could use it for scouts and for primary this would be the best thing ever. I can not afford to buy one so this is the only chance I get :)
iced_2@hotmail.com
Thank you for the chance
Candie
Jodie
August 26, 2010 at 6:52 amI’d love one of these to do paper crafting, glass etching and t-shirt making.
Prissy
August 26, 2010 at 6:53 amOh, I love this machine. Vinyl would be so much fun to play with!
Eva Greco
August 26, 2010 at 6:55 amWould love to vinyl my world!!
Tam Johnson
August 26, 2010 at 6:56 amOMG! I would use this perfect piece of machinery for so many things. First, I would create fabulous party supplies for my newborn baby girl! I already have ideas swirling in my head for her first birthday party. I would also use it to scrapbook her first year. Then I would use it to decorate her room to a really cool space for her as she grows (I am thinking some sort of wall chart?) Then I would decorate cake plates with the etchings to give as gifts to all of my baking friends! Oh, the list goes on but my brain has started to swirl from all of the possibilities!!! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Melissa
August 26, 2010 at 6:57 amOh, my!!! I would make a large initial with vinyl and put it at the base of our staircase/foyer entryway!!!
LOVE THIS!!!!!
kindy
August 26, 2010 at 7:02 amI want one of these so bad…with 5 kids I can think of so many uses
Karen W
August 26, 2010 at 7:02 amThis is an awesome giveaway…I would love to win the Silhouette!
karen_waters@netins.net
Jamie
August 26, 2010 at 7:06 amI’ve been dying to get my hands on one of these! I love the family silhouette that you did, I may have to try my hand at one of those if I win! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Jeanette
August 26, 2010 at 7:07 amI so want one of these machines! Just when I think I KNOW what I would make as my first project if I won, I see something new that inspires me! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the family silhouette you made for your car! So much better than the ones you can buy.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I hope I win!
:-) Jeanette
Roseanna
August 26, 2010 at 7:09 amOh, Yes!!! I would use this to make vinyl lettering for a mirror I have in mind!
Dana
August 26, 2010 at 7:11 amI love the car decal. I would love this!
Tami
August 26, 2010 at 7:12 amOh, I would love this. I would use it in scrapbooking, and make cute holiday projects…and probably totally neglect my housework…come on random number generator!!!
Tia F
August 26, 2010 at 7:13 amI keep trying to win one of these. So many cute things to make. I never even thought of a car decal…so creative
Sharon
August 26, 2010 at 7:13 amI would love to have one of these for my store. The monogramming alone on the pottery would be great!
Suzanne Deal
August 26, 2010 at 7:14 amI would love a Silhouette…it’s endless possibilities spill through my head. Paper crafts with the kids, vinly, cards and more.Thank you for the opportunity to win one! I hope I do.
suzannedeal1@yahoo.com
Vernell
August 26, 2010 at 7:16 amIt would be awesome to win one of these. I would definitely use it for scrapbooking and card making but also to make cupcake wrappers and I love the vinyl.
Helen
August 26, 2010 at 7:16 amI would so love to have one of these!
Charmaine
August 26, 2010 at 7:21 amI would love to own a Silhouette. I’ve seen so many great projects with them lately. Want to try my hand at cutting vinyl.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Charmaine
Barbara Klemick
August 26, 2010 at 7:25 amOMG, this machine is totally amazing. The ideas are spinning in my head — I could make holiday decorations and gifts, birthday presents and “just because” surprises for family and friends. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Liz
August 26, 2010 at 7:28 amThank you for this wonderful offer!!! I hope I win. I have many, many ideas to share!
Nina
August 26, 2010 at 7:31 amAhhh! Best give-a-way ever! I would love to experiment with glass etching and heat transfers, but I LOVE your car decal. So creative! :)
Chrissy
August 26, 2010 at 7:36 amI would love to win this silhouette! Not only would i be able to give my sister her cricut back, but i would use it for rhinestones, and those adorable cupcake wrappers! ps – your car sticker is my favorite I have ever seen!
Laura Pinto-Nguyen
August 26, 2010 at 7:37 amI really like the decal on your car…so much better than cutsie. Home decor projects is something I would start doing with this machine.
Jenn W
August 26, 2010 at 7:37 amSo excited to try one of these machines!
Kathie B.
August 26, 2010 at 7:38 amI too, love your car silhouette. Very classy. I’ve been wanting to do silhouettes of my family for some time. Maybe if I win I can do them in vinyl and put them up on their bedroom doors. :)
sydney85
August 26, 2010 at 7:44 amI would love to win the silhouette. I am wanting to do lots of etching and silhouettes.
masperle@austin.rr.com
Megan
August 26, 2010 at 7:46 amI love you decal! I would love love love to win one of these bad boys!
Cori
August 26, 2010 at 7:46 amPlease, please pick me. I would so love it for vinyl lettering and scrapbooking.
Julie
August 26, 2010 at 7:47 amI sooooo have been dreaming about this machine all summer I have just read yesterday about the tattoo paper I think the possibilities are endless with this machine so much to think about nothing in the house is safe !
ALM Chandler
August 26, 2010 at 7:47 amI would love one of these – what an exciting giveaway!
Dacia
August 26, 2010 at 7:48 amOh my, I LOVE your decals! I am so happy that this cool machine works with illustrator! Being a graphic designer, that is one of my fav programs, and could really be useful in my business… AND my crafty endeavors. I would definitely be making some Christmas presents! Vinyl decor… mini brag books for the grandparents since we live so far away… etc! I think I would using it non-stop! I love the silhouette that you created.
Jen B.
August 26, 2010 at 7:50 amI would love to win one of these…so many ideas of what to do with it!!!
Fawn Teresi
August 26, 2010 at 7:51 amPlease Please Please!!! I have been Begging… BEGGING for one of these :)
Love your blog :)
Allison
August 26, 2010 at 7:54 amam DYING for one of these amazing machines! Every time I visit the Silhouette site I get itching to create about a million projects! Heat transfers, glass etching, vinyl for my walls, gift projects! Fingers crossed!!
Deanna Groke
August 26, 2010 at 7:54 amAs a children’s librarian I would use this over and over–think of the bulletin boards I could create. Pick me, pick me! Deanna
Krista Lewis
August 26, 2010 at 7:55 amPICK ME PICK ME!!!! I would LOVE to have one of these!!!
Jessica
August 26, 2010 at 7:58 amI actually like your family decal…it’s a step up from the sticks!
Oh man…I’d be vinyling it up all over the place over here if I won! Gifts, decor, somebody stop me! I also love the capability to make party supplies…I’m tired of doing lettering with an exacto knife (and a sore hand!!!)
Lauren
August 26, 2010 at 8:00 amI would love to be able to make my own vinyl for my minivan! My husband has been wanting some “little people” for it! Great idea!
Terri
August 26, 2010 at 8:00 amWith 6 grandchildren, and #7 on the way, I would love one of these amazing machines. The projects I could do for school, church, nurseries, matching Christmas pj’s and sweatshirts, my bare walls, wow, it would take my crafting/sewing to a whole nutha level!! And with 2 grown daughters and 1 daughter n law, we would put it to good use Thanks for this awesoe giveaway!
Robin S.
August 26, 2010 at 8:00 amI love how creative and versatile you can be with this machine…Oh, the crafting you can do!
Ann Burnett
August 26, 2010 at 8:03 amI would LOVE to win one. Fingers crossed
Jenna
August 26, 2010 at 8:05 amI am dying! I want to win one of these so bad. I’m loving all the newest craft machines. I hope I win, I hope I win!
jenlawyer@hotmail.com
Claudia Growney
August 26, 2010 at 8:09 amI am soooooooooooooo in love….with the Silhouette! I am in the middle of a sad sad and expensive divorce so I can’t splurge and treat myself to one but I’m hoping to win one here, thanks for having this giveaway!!!
Elizabeth
August 26, 2010 at 8:09 amI stumbled across your website, as I was looking for flowers to cheer me up. I lost so much lately, but still have four beautiful girls, so I look for projects to make us smile and take away the tears.
Ideen Perez
August 26, 2010 at 8:10 amOmg I so need this as it would make my crafting so much easier. Wow thanks for the chance I hope I win.
Kathleen
August 26, 2010 at 8:11 amFingers and toes crossed…I REALLY want to win on of these! PICK ME!
amber
August 26, 2010 at 8:11 amI would LOVE LOVE LOVE to add this to my crafting capabilities— I’ve been wanting one for a LONG TIME!
michelle
August 26, 2010 at 8:11 amLove this machine! Would love to own one!
Nancy Cornwell
August 26, 2010 at 8:12 amI would love to win! I can just imagine the cutest heat transfer shirts for my kiddo!
caroline
August 26, 2010 at 8:12 amThis thing looks AMAZING… I’d love to use it to make stencils and for creating custom iron on transfers!
Denise M.
August 26, 2010 at 8:13 amLove your vinyl window family! So cool! Crossing my fingers for a sweet win!
Martha
August 26, 2010 at 8:14 amI would give this to my brand new daughter in law for Christmas and together we would be in craft heaven! mdh