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!
Caitlin
August 23, 2010 at 2:16 pmThis would be so much fun! I’d love to use it! And I love your take on the vinyl family decals for the car. Such a cute idea! Much more personal than the stick figures!
Joanna
August 23, 2010 at 2:17 pmI would LOVE one of these! Oh the possibilities………….
jennifer
August 23, 2010 at 2:17 pmI love this! I can think of a million projects including more silhouettes of my little girls.
Lyndsay
August 23, 2010 at 2:17 pmOh hello! Love this blog and would love to win a Silhouette. Thanks for the chance. So exciting!
Kirstin
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmThis is a-mazing. And I love what you’ve done with Eleanor’s and your family’s silhouette. I have so many projects in mind already. Seems like the possibilities are endless.
Nicoletta Leonardo
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmWow! This is so neat! I’ve been lusting after a vinyl cutter for quite some time, but this would fit much better on my desk! haha
Shannon R
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmYay! Neat toys!
Sherry
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmI love your modern family decal, it’s so cute! I would also love to win this giveaway.
Kalee
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmI love the family silhouette! I would love to win and do a whole wall of silhouettes!
Lisa T
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmI love your decal! I will make one of those if I win.
Sarah (craftnclutter)
August 23, 2010 at 2:18 pmMachine of my dreams.
Rachel
August 23, 2010 at 2:19 pmOooh, I’d love to have one of these. There is so much you can do with them!
Scraps
August 23, 2010 at 2:19 pmOOooh, I’ve been lusting after one of these (or, rather, any of a number of similar machines) for ages. This would be fabulous to win! *crosses fingers & wishes everyone equal luck… well, almost ;-)*
Elena
August 23, 2010 at 2:19 pmI want one!!
Grace
August 23, 2010 at 2:19 pmI love the car decal! I make lots of birthday decorations so this machine would come in very handy. Thank you for hosting the giveaway!
Danielle
August 23, 2010 at 2:20 pmI have been wanting one of these for the longest time! The projects are endless!
Meg W.
August 23, 2010 at 2:20 pmI would love this! My mind is wandering to all of the lovely crafts I could make!
Brittany
August 23, 2010 at 2:20 pmI think the family decal is so refreshing!! I’ve wanted to see a Silhouette in action for a while now so this would be amazing to win.
P.S. I can’t stand those stick figure family decals!
Jennifer
August 23, 2010 at 2:20 pmI would l.o.v.e. to own one of these. I borrow a friend’s everytime I need something special. Thankful I have access to one, but would squeal with delight if I had my very own!!
Stephanie
August 23, 2010 at 2:21 pmHow fun! This would be great for so many craft projects!
p.s. I love the modern, less-cutesy version of your family! Can’t wait to see the updated version!
Melissa
August 23, 2010 at 2:21 pmI’ve been longing for a Silhouette! I’m planning 2 baby showers this winter and a Silhouette could definitely assist in making some very cute invites!
Garret
August 23, 2010 at 2:21 pmMy wife showed me this and said, “look honey, this would make letters to Afghanistan so much more fun next year!” Nah, I won’t get harassed at all at work for hanging up silhouettes. Not a bit. (But secretly I think it would be kinda cool…)
kelly
August 23, 2010 at 2:21 pmoh my, I would have so much fun making cut outs with my son. he is almost 3 and I am sure it would come in handy for his birthday decorations and invites!
Michelle C
August 23, 2010 at 2:21 pmWhat a great giveaway! The family silhouette is great, so personal.
I’m a scrapbooker so I have 1001 things I could use a Silhouette for. Thanks for sharing!
Karrie
August 23, 2010 at 2:22 pmLooks like fun!
Carla
August 23, 2010 at 2:22 pmI’ve seen these and read about them so much lately. So many wonderful possibilities!
Brigitte
August 23, 2010 at 2:23 pmThis is awesome. I want it hard.
Um…I have no idea what those stick figures you mention are. But, then again, I’ve been accused of being unobservant. :)
Kelli
August 23, 2010 at 2:23 pmOoh, pick me! Thanks for the giveaway!
Emily
August 23, 2010 at 2:24 pmI am saving my pennies for one of these! Maybe I could win one instead!
Alaina
August 23, 2010 at 2:24 pmThat is such a neat machine!!! there are so many options i would probably use mine mostly for making cards!!
Jessicah
August 23, 2010 at 2:24 pmWow, I love your car window silhouette–so much cooler than the typical stick figure ones! I want one of these machines now! :)
Robin
August 23, 2010 at 2:24 pmNeat-O!
Natalie
August 23, 2010 at 2:25 pmI’ve been wanting one of these since I found out they existed!!
Holly
August 23, 2010 at 2:25 pmI’ve been wanting one of these for a long time! The possibilities are endless!
abbi
August 23, 2010 at 2:26 pmI love to make custom t-shirts for my boys, so I would use it to make some quick stencils for painting. Vinyl decals are also really interesting to me. & I definitely prefer your version of the vinyl family. :)
Jennie
August 23, 2010 at 2:26 pmhave been wanting one of these for quite some time – thanks for the chance!
Julie
August 23, 2010 at 2:27 pmWould love to silhouette my family!
Amy V
August 23, 2010 at 2:27 pmOh. Em. Gee. A silhouette machine has been on my “want” list for awhile now. I’d love to win!
Mrs. Petrie
August 23, 2010 at 2:27 pmI have never heard of this machine, but it sounds awesome. I love the car silhouette!
Denise
August 23, 2010 at 2:27 pmhow fun! hope i win!
Erin K
August 23, 2010 at 2:27 pmHoly cow! I would so love this! I’m expecting my first in March, and could so see a baby quilt with silhouettes on the squares…I love your take on the stick figures! I am not a fan of them, personally, but I dig your take. :)
Carly
August 23, 2010 at 2:28 pmAs if I didn’t want a Silhouette badly enough already, I am now dying for one after seeing your little vinyl family! Thanks for an amazing giveaway!
Jessica I.
August 23, 2010 at 2:28 pmI am already thinking of all the cute ways this could be used. I may just have to break out the scissors and get started on some old-fashioned silhouettes in the meantime!
Tara
August 23, 2010 at 2:29 pmI been dying to get my hands on a Silhouette for 6 months! I even tried to convince my craft group to all go in on one together, but there weren’t any takers. I have a dozen projects in mind…
Laurie
August 23, 2010 at 2:29 pmThis is the second contest I have entered to try and win this thing. I think I may have to just buy it if I do not win this time!
Lisa
August 23, 2010 at 2:29 pmLove it! And desperately want to win. I love your decal and might copy you but just to frame and hang in our gallery. I’d also get the pets in there, but I guess for you that would be REALLY hard. ; ) Thanks!
Beth H
August 23, 2010 at 2:29 pmHow cool! Oh, the endless possibilities…
Paige
August 23, 2010 at 2:29 pmThis is so, so cool! The silhouette of the three of you really gives an accurate portrayal of the cuteness of your little family!
abby
August 23, 2010 at 2:29 pmyou are so talented. i love the car decal! i think i may need one of these fancy machines. i am dreaming up projects as we speak!
Jocelyn
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmYour vinyl family is such a refreshing change! I would love to try my hand at some glass etching with the machine.
nicole i
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmi adore your car decals…so downtown!
i also would adore winning a silhouette getup! totally rock’n for holiday cards & tags and would be great fun for pta shindigs at my kids school.
Stephanie
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmSilhouettes are so classic, and can work with so many styles of decor…I love them! I’d create silhouettes of my nieces and nephew to give to their parents and grandparents.
gabrielle
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmi usually hate those stick figure things but these are adorable! great job :)
Michele
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmThis would be so awesome to win. I love crafting!
laura
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmlove this!
Laura Benson
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmGood luck everyone!
amy goodhouse
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmvery sweet!
Cece
August 23, 2010 at 2:30 pmWhat a fun idea with the car decal…I’m just thinking of all the fun Christmas treats I could whip up with this!!
lala
August 23, 2010 at 2:31 pmThis seems like so much fun!! I’ve seen all sorts of posts pop up from many bloggers lately about the Silhouette SD. I’d love to try it out, so thank you for the chance to win!!
Amanda
August 23, 2010 at 2:31 pmI would love this machine! I have ideas running all through my brain!
Penguin & Fish
August 23, 2010 at 2:31 pmSo cute. Love your take! How fun!
Alissa
August 23, 2010 at 2:33 pmOh that’s so cool! I can think of a million cool projects to do with that already – I already love making silhouettes in illustrator – it would be great to put some of them into production!
Brittney
August 23, 2010 at 2:33 pmI have had my eye on one of these machines for awhile for my scrapbooking. Thanks for the chance to win one!
Ali
August 23, 2010 at 2:34 pmGreat projects. I would love to win!
Danza
August 23, 2010 at 2:34 pmAdorable! My mind is racing thinking of ways I would use this machine!
joanne
August 23, 2010 at 2:34 pmOooo… what fun!
The holidays are just around the corner :)
Kirsty
August 23, 2010 at 2:35 pmThe silhouette of Eleanor is adorable! So many possibilities with this lil machine! :)
Kristen
August 23, 2010 at 2:35 pmI would love to make a cutout of our cat! And your window decal is way cuter than the stick figures.
Kristin
August 23, 2010 at 2:35 pmI would love to own one of these machines! So cool!
Gina S
August 23, 2010 at 2:36 pmSo many cool things I could make with this. Hope I win.
rachel p
August 23, 2010 at 2:36 pmooh, the inspiration is flowing! i love your super cute car decal :)
Carol
August 23, 2010 at 2:36 pmThis is a gadget I’d love to win. I really like your family silhouette too.
Catherine
August 23, 2010 at 2:36 pmWhat a fun toy!
ceci
August 23, 2010 at 2:37 pmOh my! so many comments already! I can imagine everyone would love having one of these as much as I do. Pretty please, let it be me!!
crackthewhip
August 23, 2010 at 2:37 pmooooooooooo (= I really would love one of these!
Amanda
August 23, 2010 at 2:38 pmWould be great to win one of these! Too many potential projects to mention them all. I always hated the stick figure car decals but I LOVE the ones you made. I would absolutely put that on my rear window.
Carey
August 23, 2010 at 2:38 pmYour initial post about this machine got my interest and now your car decal has put me over the top….I need it! It would be even better to win one! :)
sarah b
August 23, 2010 at 2:39 pmlove it! want it!
this is so much better than scissors and glue! :)
Jeannine @ Small & Chic
August 23, 2010 at 2:39 pmYou are the first reviewer to mention a way to use this with a Mac. Thank you SO much!
No stick figures! Your version is far more interesting!
Margaret
August 23, 2010 at 2:39 pmOh.
Nice to see an update on the cutesy car decal phenomenon!
I could have used this a couple of months ago when I etched silhouettes on some beer glasses for DH on Fathers’ Day (http://stashpot.blogspot.com/2010/06/silhouettes.html). But that holiday comes every year and it would be a lot easier having a machine cut out Year Two’s silhouette.
Good luck to all!
Shrie >> Lo & Behold
August 23, 2010 at 2:40 pmI’d LOVE to win a Silhouette :)
Bethany
August 23, 2010 at 2:40 pmWhat sweet projects you made – my wheels are turning imagining what I could do with this machine!
Dawn Zaffron
August 23, 2010 at 2:40 pmI LOVED the family decal!
Heather
August 23, 2010 at 2:40 pmWhat a clever idea for the car! Very neat machine.
April
August 23, 2010 at 2:41 pmSo neat, would love this, thx!
Jen
August 23, 2010 at 2:41 pmThis is amazing! Lots of neat projects could be done!
Jessica
August 23, 2010 at 2:42 pmWow. This would be a pretty awesome item to win!
Brianne
August 23, 2010 at 2:42 pmI would love to win this machine! Your silhouette looked great, I would love to make some of my family as well!
krystal k.
August 23, 2010 at 2:42 pmi’d love one. i’d do so much with it.
Vanessa
August 23, 2010 at 2:42 pmI would love this machine sooo much!
Sarah
August 23, 2010 at 2:42 pmthanks for doing the mini review Nicole. I’ve actually been wanting to get one since I read Melissa’s review as well. I was curious about the compatibility with illustrator since it’s the program I would be using, so I’m happy to hear it worked well.
Amanda
August 23, 2010 at 2:43 pmHoly cow, I would go nuts with one of those… Let’s hope for my poor boyfriend’s sake I don’t win ;p
doll
August 23, 2010 at 2:44 pmThe blog for that is crazy. Think of how easy a wedding would be.
stephanie
August 23, 2010 at 2:44 pmi would LOVE one of these! how fun.
Melissa
August 23, 2010 at 2:45 pmI LOVE the projects that you’ve made so far! Adorable. This would be a fun tool to have!
Claudia
August 23, 2010 at 2:45 pmI would so love one of these!!!
Cassie
August 23, 2010 at 2:45 pmOoo, how fun! I would love this!!
Alison
August 23, 2010 at 2:46 pmWould love to have one of these. What an awesome product.
Jenn
August 23, 2010 at 2:46 pmI would so, so, SO love one of these! I keep seeing all the lovely things different bloggers are making with them!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Erin
August 23, 2010 at 2:47 pmOoo, neat! Do you think it would be a bad idea to cover myself in cool cut-outs? Like leggings, but with more curliques…