Giveaway: Silhouette digital cutting tool | How About Orange

October 01, 2010

Giveaway: Silhouette digital cutting tool

I've never been terribly excited about owning a digital cutter, thinking my trusty fingers and low tech X-acto knife can handle most jobs. But recently I received a Silhouette digital cutter to test and review. I'm afraid my poor old X-acto knives are going to feel neglected, because this thing is great. And you can win your own! Read on.

The Silhouette is a cute little number that's smaller than a printer, with a power cord and a USB cable that connects to your Mac or PC. After some confusion, I finally realized the accompanying instruction book is for old Windows software that doesn't look anything like the new Mac Silhouette Studio software I downloaded. Once I ignored the instruction book and referred to the Users Manual in the Help section of the new software, I was off and running. It's actually really easy to use, despite my first impression.

Now that I've got the hang of it, I'm super excited. The machine comes with 50 free shapes to cut, or you can choose from hundreds of other options available for 99 cents: boxes, cupcake wrappers, doilies, and more. Shapes are scalable and easy to modify. Or create your own shapes with the software, which works like a pared-down version of Adobe Illustrator. Or actually create your shapes in Illustrator and send them to the Silhouette. It will cut text-weight paper, card stock, adhesive vinyl, magnet or tattoo paper, and heat transfer material.

My first project was a little box. I pushed a button and the entire template was cut out in less than 30 seconds while I stood by and drank coffee. And of course it's perfect.

Then I forced it to cut something tiny and delicate from self-adhesive vinyl, just to see if it would explode. Also perfect. Dang. I'm not doing that with my X-acto knife.

For lots of project ideas, see here. As I try other things, I'll let you know how it goes.

The Giveaway: October 1 –11, 2010 (Now closed)
Want to win your own cutter? One lucky commenter will win a Silhouette machine (a $299.99 value) with everything you'll need to make it go: Software for Windows XP/Vista or Mac, a power cable, USB cable, 2 cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media), one cutting blade, and a $10 gift card to the Silhouette online store.

To enter the random drawing:
Leave a comment on this post by Monday, October 11 at midnight CDT. Open to US residents only; sorry! The company doesn't ship internationally. Silhouette winners from other giveaways are not eligible. Be sure to include a link or other way to contact you. The winner will be contacted and announced in this post on October 12.

Update: Giveaway is now closed. Commenter 1469, Kel O., was randomly selected and has been given the good news!

4543 comments:

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marne said...

wow, I never thought I needed one of those either, but now I'm thinking about all the cool stuff I could be making!

Delia said...

This is amazingggg!

deliahong27@gmail.com

traladeda said...

I'd love a Silhouette!

traladeda said...

I'd love a Silhouette!

Summer Lee said...

Oh my! Yes PLEASE!!! I am dying for a Silhouette!

smiloro at gmail dot com

Kari said...

That thing looks awesome. What will they think of next? I'll take it!

Isabella Kiss said...

that is WAYYY too cool! i would love to win it! Contact me at my blog, http://mynameisnotking.blogspot.com

kelly said...

my word, that looks like fun.

Ginger Dupre said...

I would love one of these!!

Candice said...

What a cool toy! I've never heard of it before, but looks like it'd be a handy crafting tool!

Christina said...

Oooh... I'd love to have a Silhouette!

PinkPug,INK. said...

Great giveaway!! Thanks for the chance to win! :)

Anonymous said...

oh it would be incredible to have one of these!!

unpopped girl said...

wow, that looks amazing! i would love to use that! no more disappointing and frustrating sessions with my xacto knife!

Emma and Brandon's stories said...

What an awesome giveaway! Thank you!

tiffany said...

Wow. I'm just blown away by how fabulous this product is. I can't help but think how many graphic design students are going to (and should) buy this machine to help with their packaging designs. Thanks for the opportunity to win one!

Anonymous said...

love love love it!

Jennifer said...

I would love to have one for some crafty wedding projects.

Firesong said...

Wow, great giveaway. I have been wanting one of these for so long but can't really put that kind of money in it right now.

Thanks for the giveaway.

Stacee said...

Love to have one of those in my craft room!

unpopped girl said...

wow, that looks amazing! i would love to use that! no more disappointing and frustrating sessions with my xacto knife!

Mia said...

I'm dreaming up boxes and folding configurations to try. This machine could become highly essential. miasixx AT earthlink DOT net

Alison Mayes said...

I was just looking at this the other day! Hope I win!

Linda Nguyen said...

I'd love this!!!
Thanks for the giveaway!

Betsy said...

Super cool!

Just JaiCi's Crafts said...

i would LOVE this!!!
PLEASE pick me :)

~Michelle~ said...

Ooh, I have a feeling I would turn into a t-shirt making maniac if I had one of these!

Robin said...

I've wanted one of these for quite a while. It would be me super happy to win this giveaway.

Unknown said...

How cool! I've been dying for one of these or a cricut for the longest time. If I win this I'll be able to make the wedding invitations I couldn't afford to buy!

Unknown said...

I would love one!

Susan said...

Oh hello... yes please.

Pilar said...

yes, please!

Sibora said...

sing me up!

Kayt said...

Wow, I would looooove to win this!

Unknown said...

I would LOVE a Silhouette too. Count me in!

laura marie said...

i can't believe it cut something so thin! would love to try it myself.

Maria said...

Awesome! I can think of so many ways to use this!

LKP said...

W.O.W.
i am completely impressed by that delicate little vinyl flower! i have OODLES of stuff i would love to do with that machine. =) and i do mean OODLES!
http://therommfamily.blogspot.com/

sally said...

This looks like such a cool machine. I'd love to win it.

Anonymous said...

Wow, awesome giveaway. I would love to win this!

Jennifer Leigh said...

I love reading your blog and I love this giveaway...Yay! Hope I win!

Kate said...

Oh my goodness! This is a great giveaway!

Jules said...

What a pretty little cutter- I am in love.

The domestic novice said...

Oh wow - yes please!! Would save on plasters!

anillom said...

Oh my goodness does that look like fun. I would love to own a Silhouette!

Tami said...

oh wow! I want one:)

Mary Lou said...

So amazingly awesome!

The Cheese Thief said...

I love this thing. I really want to make so much stuff with it.

Sara said...

I've been dying to get my hands on one of these forever! What a great addition to my craft supplies!

Unknown said...

Ohhhh the possibilites ........

Sarah said...

I am dying to try this machine - so cool!

Unknown said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh I love that! That would make a lot of crafts soooo much easier!

Andrea A. said...

I'd never heard of this tool and am totally in love with it now. Just in time for the holiday decorating season, too! Hope I win.

Nicole said...

There are so many amazing things one could do with that machine!

Unknown said...

Ohhh the possibilities .....

Audrey said...

I could definitely waste a lot of time playing with one of these things.

Unknown said...

WOW! I can't wait to see what else you find to make. I've recently learned I'm not so good at the x-acto knife. my poor letters were mutilated. This little machine would be a dream.

-jb. said...

Oooooh! Me, me, me!

Unknown said...

Pick me, pick me! Please!

Sparkee Spud said...

Wow that's a neat cutter! I would love to win this one!

LindaSonia said...

Oh my, I'd lovelovelove to win this machine... fingers & toes crossed :) LindaSonia (baddabinda@yahoo.com)

Flo~ said...

Oh man, if I actually won this thing, I think I'd die of (a) surprise and (b) rapture. I love cutout stuff!

B said...

How nifty!! I want one!!!

B said...

How nifty!! I want one!!

Brooklet said...

Think of the possibilities! Lovely!

Linz said...

Oh how I'd love to win this!

Unknown said...

The paper crafts I could do with this...!

Mind blown. Brains everywhere.

Unknown said...

I have a perfect spot all ready for it, with a welcome banner and all! :) Please and Thank You! Really, thank you! :)

Noellen said...

This thing looks pretty cool and I'm not so good w/ the Exacto knife anyway!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this would be such a lovely prize to win!

www.spunkpunkandlace.wordpress.com

Jpeg Meg said...

Oh, the projects!!! My mind is buzzing with ideas!

absmith55 said...

Oh yes please! I would L-O-V-E a Silhouette.

Sarah said...

this would be great for all my diy wedding projects! :)

Unknown said...

I wish I had this two weeks ago when I cut out Princess tiaras for my daughter's birthday invites!

Mike said...

this sounds like a great time saver
michael at michaelmusser.com

Becca said...

so neat! I can't imagine all the craftygoodness that could be embellished with one of those!

Megan said...

i would love to own a silhouette digital cutter

onourwayonline.com

swimnc said...

Impressive ... that looks so cool! I am like anyone else I am sure ... too intriquate and I don't do it ... mrs_thurman@hotmail.com

Renee said...

This is so cool! Plus my exacto and I aren't exactly on friendly terms right now!

The crew said...

oh I dream of this nightly. I have countless projects this would help greatly with. crossing all fingers and toes that I for once can be a lucky duck. periwinklepurple@hotmail.com
Bethany

aliciajuliane said...

I would LOVE one of these. I could do SO much with it!

Susan C. said...

This looks amazing - I can think of dozens of uses for it!

Erin said...

Oh, do enter me. I'd love that thing!

denise said...

Oh my! I want one of these so much!!

Unknown said...

Yes please, this would make a fab addition to my craft room!

j bird said...

Would love to have this! Looks amazing!

Karen said...

Oh I SO want one of these!!!!

karenesavage@gmail.com

Stacy Kristine said...

I would use this all the time! It's just so awesome and takes much less patience than an exacto knife. :)

Krust said...

Oh my. I think I'm in love... Why have I never heard of this lovely machine.
I'm already imagining all the things I could do!
Please enter me in the drawing for the giveaway.

Ashley said...

oh my wow! my mind is spinning with so many projects i could use this for! fingers crossed! xoxo

Sunlover said...

I love this thing!

Natalilydesigns@yahoo.com

Mel said...

Knock knock. Who's there? Orange. Orange Who? Orange you glad I found this awesome giveaway?!

Emma said...

oooooooooo how fun!!! Count me in!

Jess said...

Love this! Looks like tons of fun!

aliciajuliane said...

I would LOVE one of these! I could complete SO many projects with this!

cyndirella107 said...

This machine would be such a great addition to my crafty tools. I have so many ideas for using it like papercuts and glass etching.

swimnc said...

Impressive ... that looks so cool! I am like anyone else I am sure ... too intriquate and I don't do it ... Thank you in advance!
mrs_thurman@hotmail.com

Jana said...

That is one nifty little widget! Oh the things I could make!

Lisa J. said...

This machine looks so fun!

Imperatrix said...

Ohmygoodness! That looks so so cool. What fun we could have together...

Rachel said...

I would like one- they look like so much fun

Katie said...

I'd love one of these machines!!

Emily said...

This looks so great! I'd love to win! I can see so much crafting for my 1st grade class :)

Jodi said...

I would love to win this!

Alie said...

Wow. I am impressed. This blows the cricut cutter I've wanted so badly out of the water. And I can make my own shapes? A dream come true.

Katie said...

That's the coolest gadget ever!
http://thegreskofamily.blogspot.com/

Dani Mc. said...

Man oh man, that thing looks amazing! I would love to see more of your projects as they get finished!

kathy said...

Me please!

Lynn said...

Oh- you had me at cards- I would love one of these to make gretting cards- and who knows what else!

naomi said...

I'm coveting this cutter!

AWhite said...

I would love to own one of these.... then I could open my OWN etsy shop!

steph k said...

Wowsa! My hands are cramping just thinking about trying to cut out those intricate designs with my exacto knife. Loves it!

Citygirl said...

Looks like I could make some amazing Christmas gifts with that!

Alleen said...

Oh yes! This is so cutting-edge! Reminds me of a quote I love - "Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes... You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners.. Never neglect the little things.” This will certainly make doing the little things so much more palatable!! :0)

Unknown said...

oh... i'd love one of these. it would be so much fun to use for wedding decorations!

emily said...

I would love one of these! What a fun giveaway. Email address is in my Blogger profile. Thanks!

AWhite said...

oooh, oooh, oooh! Yes, please! Then I could open my OWN etsy shop!

Random Creativity said...

Oh, pick me, pick me! I would love to play with that machine!
surveypeters-at-gmail-dot-com

Unknown said...

I've always wanted a Silhouette!!! What a great giveaway!

hockeygator said...

My six year old and I would have so much fun making paper items to use with our LEGO sets! Thanks for the chance to win!

Chris and Carrie said...

Oh I need one of these. I have tried to win this before on other blogs, but I have no luck in giveaways. This would be great for work (graphic design) and home (mom of two with lots of projects).

Rachel Hope said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I want one SO Bad! :)

Unknown said...

PICK ME! What a great tool, I could really use this...and have the x-acto scars to prove it

Steph said...

This is great!! A tool like this would make all my paper crafts much, much simpler! So fantastic!

Katerz said...

This would be awesome!

Unknown said...

I'd love one of these for wedding decorations!

Unknown said...

This would be awesome!

marisa said...

would love one of these!

LilyTiger said...

Oh, I've been lusting after a digital cutter for ages!

lilytigeress27[at]gmail dot com

ellabella25 said...

awesome! i want one!

Kate said...

That would be awesome! I'd totally pass that on to my best friend for cupcake wrappers! (Does that mean you have to check back to this post for the winner? Because it won't show up again in my RSS reader just because it's been changed...)

ashley said...

me me! this little guy looks like so much fun!!

hotrodgal said...

Oh, I have been wanting one of these!! I have no patience with the xacto!

Unknown said...

I'd love one of these!!!

Deni Page said...

These machines are so cool! I want one, PLEASE!!! dudette134@hotmail.com

Erin said...

Oh, how generous! Would love to have this little treasure!

Beautiful Haven said...

I would love one of these! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Robin A. said...

I've been dreaming about having this cutting tool. I could create beautiful ornaments and cards.

Nakiya @ Taste of Baltimore said...

ooooooooooooh yes please! I am imagining all the amazing homemade cards I can make with that!!!!! :)

Erin said...

How FUN is this?! I could be so crafty!

Rebecca K said...

littleweinand _at_ hotmail.com

Looks like so much fun!

sarahw said...

How fun is that? I could definitely create with that. :)

kimberly said...

I'm sure that I "need" that!

Erin said...

How fun is this?! I could totally come up with fun crafty projects!

Nina said...

OoOoOo, yes please, may I have one?? I'm thinking: STENCILS.

Anonymous said...

Yes yes, love love!
mynameisvanessalopez at yahoo.com

Cassie said...

I would love one! They would make so many things easy.

TK said...

so many cool things to be made with this!

JennyW said...

How fun would this be? Thanks :)

Beautiful Haven said...

I would love one of these...keepin my fingers crossed.

Wally World said...

I would so love to win this!!

Glurf said...

Every year, me, my mom, and my stepdaughter have a Christmas card making party. I've been looking for ideas for our 2010 cards and this is it! Thanks so much for the great post.

laina kay said...

Oh, the things I could do with this! I can't wait to see the things you do with it. Too fun!

Kathryn said...

Oh the possiblities!!! I would love a machine!! I would probably wear it out from over use.

PS. I really enjoy your site.

missjones52@yahoo.com

Fuhrkens said...

Thank you for another chance to win! I really want one of these!

Lilia said...

I'd love to have one of those!! Ideas in my head.

Francheska said...

Oooo....so many things I could do for the holidays with this amazing creation!

H.Cook said...

I've been daydreaming about all the cool things I could make with the Silhouette! It would be so nice to have for the holidays!

Briana Arlene said...

Wow. Cool Machine! I love your modern & delicate flower decal.

Meg said...

This looks awesome!

Ellen said...

I agree with all those that mentioned that delicate black cut-out; that made me want it. I can already see them dancing around the doorway of my kitchen wall...

Carrie said...

What a fun machine! I'd love to try it....

JenO said...

I've seen this on so many of my favorite blogs and would love to have one. I'm working on my hubbie to see if Santa will bring me one but to win one would be even better!

Anonymous said...

this looks AMAZING! the possibilities with such a great tool are endless!

shannon said...

I would love to have this!

Julie said...

This machine looks amazing! There is so much you can do with it!

Chelsea said...

If I don't win this it's going on my Wish list!

kris said...

I've seen this on other blogs and think it would be super fun and easy to use!!

Julie said...

This machine looks amazing! So much to do with it!

Unknown said...

Wow! That would be awesome!

Anonymous said...

what an AMAZING tool! the possibilities would be endless!

Megan said...

I need this to give to my Mom!

Rebecca N. said...

Oh wow, I could go to town with one of those.

And btw I thought that copycatting of your designs was super-lame!

Rebecca said...

i would LOVE to have one of these! Especially since they've added the MAC update! :) rebecca{dot}gassaway{at}gmail{dot}com

Jenny D said...

I would love to win one! I'm just getting into crafting and this would be AMAZING!!
yevkravets at gmail dot com

Rachel said...

yes, please!!! would LOVE to have this!

Katie said...

This would be so cool to have! I can already think of all the things I could use it for!!

HerArtSheLoves said...

I would LOVE this digital cutter, I create custom boxes for my robots!
http://RobotsAreAwesome.etsy.com

Kari said...

Well goodness what a nifty tool. I am plotting now my next project for when I win.

Mrs Chronic-Shock said...

This machine keeps haunting my dreams! Dangit, I want one!

Betty said...

I'd love to win one of these!! My sausage-fingers just can't use an exacto that precisely! :)

Elsa (elsa.macbebekin@gmail.com) said...

Wow, I'd love a crack at this Silhouette. I'd use it for the usual suspects (papercutting for cards and notebook covers, foodsafe doilies that don't look like a maiden aunt bought 'em in 1904), but I'm just starting to get into glass etching, so those delicate cut-outs would make perfect stencils!

Bev said...

Puh-lease. Pretty please.

Dolores said...

As my childhood idol, Jem, would say, this is truly, truly, truly outrageous!

humbleablog(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicole C. said...

I LOVE this! Fingers crossed!

Lindsay said...

This looks awesome! I just graduated with a masters degree and was wondering what I would do with all my free time! Now I know!

Amanda Phillips said...

um yes please

Jamie said...

This would make my autumn scrapbooking goals achievable!

Kelly Medina said...

I can't pass up a chance at something so awesome!

Lori said...

oh i want one of these! hoping christmas comes early!!

Care said...

That looks like so much fun! I would love to try one out1

Esther Kim said...

Hello! That looks so amazing! It would be too awesome if I could have one!

M said...

i would love a silhouette machine!!!!!!!!!! i am already dreaming up ways to use it!!!!!!!!!!!

Whitney @ Whisker Graphics said...

Would LOVE to have one of these! Oh! The possibilities! Thanks for a great giveaway.

h said...

We have a laser cutter at work, but it'd be great to have something like this for personal use.

Brittany said...

Oh, I want one so bad... Winning this would be a-mah-zing! Otherwise, let's hope Santa is extra nice this year.

mayer.brittany [at] gmail.com

Kristy said...

a silhouette would be so much fun!

needlegrrl at gmail

Staff said...

Must. Have. One. :)

SewLindaAnn said...

I would love to put my Xacto away for awhile.

Unknown said...

Oh yes ma'am! I am dieing for one of these...if is on top of my christmas wish list

Jesslsteele@yahoo.com

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