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!
Megan
August 23, 2010 at 3:30 pmI would love to make decals and all kinds of things! Thanks for sharing your review and this opportunity.
melanie
August 23, 2010 at 3:30 pmlove that silhouette of your sweet girl – such a fun mod take to it.
Alissa
August 23, 2010 at 3:30 pmMy head is spinning with the possibilities! I love the family decal. MUCH more delightful than stick figures. I’m crossing my fingers to win! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Savannah C.
August 23, 2010 at 3:31 pmThat has also been on my wish list for a while! Love the decals for the car..the only ones I’ve seen around here are stick figures (not really my thing haha)
caitlin s
August 23, 2010 at 3:31 pmTalk about a weekend of fun! Call out the search party, what happened to Caitlin?? I’m calling my family members to cross their fingers too!
Jeannine
August 23, 2010 at 3:32 pmLooks neat – lots of possibilities!
Aliya
August 23, 2010 at 3:32 pmLovely! I only wish one of these could be mine…FWIW, I think your car stickers are adorable.
Ellen
August 23, 2010 at 3:33 pmI would love to have that! I have so many projects that would be so easy with the Silhouette!
Rebecca M.
August 23, 2010 at 3:34 pmI LOVE your take on the car decal. Much more up to date and cool!
elizabeth
August 23, 2010 at 3:34 pmi would love to win one – i just think of all the organizing and decorating i could do….. :)
Mikaela
August 23, 2010 at 3:34 pmooo so fun!
sarah
August 23, 2010 at 3:35 pmthe framed silhouette you did of your daughter is darling! i’d LOVE to win a silhouette machine – thanks for the chance!
meryl rose
August 23, 2010 at 3:35 pmoooohhhh, I’d sure love that!
Jessica
August 23, 2010 at 3:37 pmOooh, what a cool tool! I’m already thinking of fun DIY projects for my upcoming wedding!
Mama Em
August 23, 2010 at 3:37 pmI love the framed silhouette you made! What a treasure.
Rayan Turner
August 23, 2010 at 3:38 pmI am dying for one of these babies! oh the things i could do with it!
Ami
August 23, 2010 at 3:39 pmCute!
Andrea M
August 23, 2010 at 3:39 pmOh what a fantastic and fun tool!!! Please pick me, I would soooo love to have it and make them for all of my friends and family :)
Grace
August 23, 2010 at 3:39 pmToo Cute!
Julia Smiley
August 23, 2010 at 3:40 pmI love it! I want on for my car, too!!!
Angee C.
August 23, 2010 at 3:40 pmI’ve seen this machine all over blogland lately. It’s really cool! I’ve been wanting to put up a few quotations on the wall in our living room lately. : )
Shifra
August 23, 2010 at 3:41 pmI’m teaching kindergarten this year and this would help with soooooo many things! The possibilities are endless!!
katrina
August 23, 2010 at 3:42 pmI would love a cutter! I’m a big crafter, and would use it for all sorts of things. First thing would probably be some cupcake wrappers like these: http://cache.fancyflours.com/fancyflours/images/items/cupcake-wrapper-heart-swirls-r.jpg but personalized.
Nicole
August 23, 2010 at 3:43 pmI would *love* to have one of those!! So many things to be done!
Amy P.
August 23, 2010 at 3:43 pmOh, I would love to win this! I have so many ideas for using a die-cutting machine. Love your silhouettes, too!
Elena @ Breakfast for Dinner
August 23, 2010 at 3:44 pmOmg, this would be so awesome! Now if someone could just explain to my husband that I won’t be coming out of the craft room for a while….. :)
Hannah Warren
August 23, 2010 at 3:44 pmWHAT A GIVEAWAY – I would LOOOOOOOOVE to win this for my best friend…. she is so crafty but has to cut EVERYTHING out by hand. She has been talking about the silhouette for the past two weeks and would LOVE to surprise her with one!!
Kelli
August 23, 2010 at 3:44 pmYour cute new car decal is much cuter than the “stick figure families” that are popping up all over the place! I would love to win and make my own!! :)
D'Rae
August 23, 2010 at 3:44 pmI have been pining for one of those for a while now! Please pick me!!!
Tracy
August 23, 2010 at 3:45 pmKeeping my fingers crossed! What a great giveaway!
Laura
August 23, 2010 at 3:45 pmI would LOVE to win this!!! I’m always looking for ways to expand the look of my purse designs that I sell in my etsy shop and I think it would be really fun for personal use too. I’ll be planning a budget friendly wedding soon and this would be so perfect!
Tate
August 23, 2010 at 3:47 pmI would LOVE to win!!!
Angie Sandy
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmThese are just awesome! I. Would. Love. To. Win. One!!!
Abby
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmOh, how I’d love this! I’m a scrapbooker. (I mean who can resist scrapbook products?!) And for the record I am violently ANTI-stick figures.
Tanya
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmSuch an awesome car sticker! Waaay better than stick figures :) Also, awesome giveaway! ::fingers crossed::
Emily
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmWow, that looks like fun!
mari
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmThat would be such a fun gadget to have at my disposal – I can’t count the number of random brainstorms where I wished I could diecut something accurately!
Amber
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmI would love to make some bigger frames out of the vinyl for my walls.
Liz
August 23, 2010 at 3:48 pmI would LOVE this little machine :)
Katie
August 23, 2010 at 3:49 pmHow cool is that! I’d make one of my kids for sure.
Anita K
August 23, 2010 at 3:52 pmI would love it, pick me!! And the car decal you made is WAY cooler than the little stick figures or turtles you see on cars!
Sarah
August 23, 2010 at 3:52 pmI’ve made these by hand – but I would sure make MORE if I had this machine….
Erin
August 23, 2010 at 3:52 pmI can think of soooo many craft projects for this machine! How fun!
Truly
August 23, 2010 at 3:53 pmum…please make my dreams come true and give me yet another reason to put off housework.
juliet
August 23, 2010 at 3:53 pmOhh, I want to win! This looks cool!
Louisa
August 23, 2010 at 3:54 pmSo cool, I’ve been wanting one of these for a while too. I have so many things I want to do with Chinese characters but they are just way too intricate to cut out with an exacto knife.
Rebecca Clemmer
August 23, 2010 at 3:54 pmvery cool gadet!!!
Amanda Kay
August 23, 2010 at 3:54 pmCrossing my fingers & toes!!
sarah b.
August 23, 2010 at 3:55 pmI love your car decal! If I had kids, I’d choose yours over the stick figures. Alas, I think it would be pretty odd to have one of just me and the husband.
I’d love, love, love to have my own machine! They have so many fun ideas on the blog that I’m dying to try it for myself.
katie
August 23, 2010 at 3:55 pmeeep! your little family stick is so wonderful! i had no idea this existed…want want want!
<3
Sarah Cass
August 23, 2010 at 3:55 pmThis is ridiculously awesome! I love, love, love the silhouettes you made! Beautiful!
Sarah
August 23, 2010 at 3:56 pmI would love to get one of these machines! Awesome!
thewatergirl
August 23, 2010 at 3:56 pmI would make so much with it I’m having a mild aneurysm trying to come up with a list.
I hope I win!
Abie
August 23, 2010 at 3:57 pmWow, that would be SO COOL to win!!!
Rebecca Wall
August 23, 2010 at 3:59 pmSign me up.
dawn
August 23, 2010 at 3:59 pmoh wow, this is an awesome giveaway! i’d love to win too! *crossing my fingers*
ClistyB
August 23, 2010 at 4:01 pmnever have heard of this one, but WOW, great idea.
as for the stick figures… I thought the stick figures were too trendy, but your family portrait one is such a snazzy take.
LauraC
August 23, 2010 at 4:01 pmLOVE your silhouettes on the car. Perfect!
Trudy
August 23, 2010 at 4:02 pmi want it!
iris
August 23, 2010 at 4:02 pmOoh, I’d love to be able to laser cut from home!
Erin T.
August 23, 2010 at 4:02 pmOoh, fun! I’d love one.
Heather
August 23, 2010 at 4:04 pmI would love to win this I have a birthday party I am planning for!!
Breanna
August 23, 2010 at 4:05 pmThat is awesome!
bethany
August 23, 2010 at 4:05 pmI would love one of these! I love silhouettes. <3
Melissa
August 23, 2010 at 4:07 pmLove it! I could make a million beautiful things!
Dina
August 23, 2010 at 4:08 pmWould absolutely love to win!!!
Lynn
August 23, 2010 at 4:08 pmLove the car decal! Thanks for a great giveaway…
Cynthia Bell
August 23, 2010 at 4:09 pmI would love to have one, please enter my name! Cynthia
Julie
August 23, 2010 at 4:09 pmOh My Goodness! I would LOVE to win this so much. Your ideas are so cute and inspirational!! I could do so much with this!!
Colleen
August 23, 2010 at 4:10 pmyes please!
Nicole B.
August 23, 2010 at 4:11 pmI love your family decal. So much prettier than the stick figures. Thanks for the giveaway.
Chantalle
August 23, 2010 at 4:11 pmGreat idea! I would love to use the heat transfers too, lots of onesies and shirt to be decorated…
Amber
August 23, 2010 at 4:12 pmAwesome giveaway…have been wanting to do a silhouette project for ages!
Holly Bailey
August 23, 2010 at 4:12 pmThis is a great giveaway. Love your blog, especially because my family is hoping to move to Oak Park in the next year or so. I have been very inspired by all of your ideas and work you have done on your home!
simply blythe
August 23, 2010 at 4:13 pmyour design is far better than the stick figures, no question!
Emily
August 23, 2010 at 4:14 pmI would love one!
ashleyD
August 23, 2010 at 4:15 pmeek! hope i win! love your take on the family vinyl sticker! ha!
Tracy K
August 23, 2010 at 4:15 pmlove your style and love this giveaway!
micaela
August 23, 2010 at 4:15 pmWhat a great giveaway! Fingers crossed!
Lindsay
August 23, 2010 at 4:16 pmYour cut out is beyond beautiful
jenn r
August 23, 2010 at 4:16 pmI was JUST thinking about how I need more silhouette art in the house. I would love this, and so would my mom, aunt, and sister. I promise I’ll share. :)
Robin
August 23, 2010 at 4:17 pmThat machine would be a lot of fun to play with! I would love to make some red chile pepper decals to decorate the glass bottles of the hot pepper infused vodka I’m making as gifts. :-)
Carrie
August 23, 2010 at 4:17 pmI’d love to win this, to make silhouettes of my nieces and nephews for holiday gifts!
Emily
August 23, 2010 at 4:19 pmIt’s so exciting to think of all the things I could make with this, and that car decal is gorgeous!
Christi
August 23, 2010 at 4:20 pmI want I want, I need I need! Haha…
But seriously.
Thanks Nicole:)
Jubilee
August 23, 2010 at 4:21 pmI adore that you can see the ruffles on her dress!
Rebecca
August 23, 2010 at 4:21 pmSo cute and so creative. Sign me up :-)
L
August 23, 2010 at 4:21 pmI have all sorts of dreams of the fun geometric patterns I could make…. Watch out house, here I come!
Abigail
August 23, 2010 at 4:25 pmThis is so neat! I would make silhouettes of some old family photos at my mother’s house, so I could have a glimpse of them at my house too.
zay
August 23, 2010 at 4:25 pmI hope I win. :)
sonnie
August 23, 2010 at 4:25 pmI love your family silhouette! Randomly choose me! Ha.
Bridie
August 23, 2010 at 4:26 pmI would love this!
Kim
August 23, 2010 at 4:26 pmTossing my name in to win! Looks like fun!!
katie
August 23, 2010 at 4:28 pmI would make a custom design for my front door (old house big window door, lets lots of people see in!) It would be a wonderful way to welcome people but also help with a little more privacy!
Ohh maybe I would even do something for the seasons!!! The possibilities are endless!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Heather
August 23, 2010 at 4:29 pmThanks for the giveaway opportunity! Looks so amazing. It’s been on my wish list for months!
Frances
August 23, 2010 at 4:29 pmI was curious about this concept and just recently did some research. Sounds like the PERFECT tool for me, as someone who is constantly cutting stencils with an exacto!
niki
August 23, 2010 at 4:29 pmbest give away ever!
Christy
August 23, 2010 at 4:31 pmI would love love love one!
Use my old design school tricks for craftiness-yay!!
Sara
August 23, 2010 at 4:31 pmI would love to win this. I’m due in February as well, with our first. I’m already thinking of all the crafty goodness I could create with one of these.
Brooke
August 23, 2010 at 4:31 pmVery neat!