What's new

So Silhouettes are big time on sale ... help deciding

jenn mccabe

jenn mccabe

She's OUR sunshine!
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
21,161
Amazon and Silhouette both have great deals on the Silhouette cutting machines right now ... averaging about 50% off. I toyed with buying one over the summer months ... mostly because it would fun to use for my planner. I could easily get away with just using the smaller Portrait size cutting machine. And it's $99.99 w/free shipping.

But I notice the bundle option has the Designer Edition Software (for svgs) and is $149.99. So all the cute svgs that Just Jaimee etc make here at the Lilypad wouldn't be able to be used unless I get that Designer Edition software? Is there a work around?

If I do get the basic $99 option, I just want to make sure I can make a cute sheet of little planner elements to print and cut ... like this:

samplemambiplanner.jpg


This would work with the Silhouette Studio software that comes with the machine right?
 
I just bought a cameo starter bundle last week after talking with several of my own team members who ALL said they wish they had gotten the bigger one first, as several bought the portrait first.

The DE version allows you to open SVG's without converting. You can trace pngs in the reg version, then save as a SVC for later. I don't know of a work around the SVG's otherwise, but here is a link you can use for converting that could work:

http://image.online-convert.com/

I wish I knew more, but I am working around the newness myself.
 
Last edited:
I always just use PNGs anyway. I do like the DE but not because of SVGs, which I never use at all. I'm also happy with the Portrait and have never wanted the Cameo. So maybe I'm just weird.

But you can definitely print & cut planner goodies with the regular software. Does the bundle have stuff other than DE? Because I'm pretty sure it's usually 50 bucks anyway so you could get it later if you decide you need it.
 
Thanks ladies ... I'm going to be weird with Lorry :thumbsups ... as I think I can make out just fine with the smaller one. (although I agree with Danyale and her team that having the bigger one would be so much more versatile, but I'm being a cheap-o right now!) I just bought the Portrait for the $99. I'm really excited!!! I've wanted one for like ever.

The bundle does have more stuff besides the DE & seems like a great value ... it has the bigger tool kit, a vinyl starter pack, and some advent shadow box thing (that I don't really care about) w/holiday designs. But I just noticed the DE software is on sale at amazon for $23 so I'm sure in the future it will be on sale again if I end up wanting it. I'm going to start simple with just the basics. And hope I actually use the thing!
 
^^That is what I was going to say - you can grab the DE for less than $25 these days^^ I got the starter bundle with doubles of everything in it for $175 on their Thanksgiving Deal of the Day - or otherwise I would have gone to a less expensive bundle myself. It is good to start off in your comfort zone ♥
 
Last edited:
I bought the portrait last year around Christmas on Amazon for the same price. My only complaint is that when I went to register it the serial number wasn't recognized making me wonder exactly where Amazon is getting them. Of course, it hasn't affected my machine,I just haven't been able to register it. The machine itself has been wonderful. I have used it so much this year with my hybrid stuff. I thought about buying the Cameo this year because I am thinking of switching to 12x12 in my PL and scrapping but then I realized that I would have to also replace my printer that I love with a wide format printer and I do not want to go that route so I am sticking with my portrait and 8.5x11 for scrap pages. I think you will really like it. I LOVE mine!
 
Last edited:
Also you can find the DE for cheaper prices on Etsy when you want to upgrade. There are several dealers on there.
 
So, all you need to be able to cut out the png shapes is the portrait?
I have an original cricut machine and have used it maybe 3 times this year. But it will not talk to my computer, so I have to buy more cartridges to use it. :/
 
klee73010 said:
So, all you need to be able to cut out the png shapes is the portrait?
I have an original cricut machine and have used it maybe 3 times this year. But it will not talk to my computer, so I have to buy more cartridges to use it. :/
Click to expand...

My portrait cuts out pngs. If you upgrade the software to the designer edition the portrait will also cut out the svg's that come in some of the kits. Your computer just has to be able to run the silhouette software.
 
Last edited:
Yes all machines cut pngs. You do have to trace them which is very simple.

I'm late to the party but I would suggest the portrait unless you are planning to make a lot of cuts using 12x12 paper. I would also suggest you upgrade to the DE. You wouldn't believe how nice it is to use svg's over tracing everything. And there are a lot of svg's out there that designers do not sell pngs with.
 
Is there a link to this purchase? I would love to get the Designer one. I have actually been wanting this for Christmas. There are so many i don't know which ones I need to look at.
 
gracielou said:
I bought the portrait last year around Christmas on Amazon for the same price. My only complaint is that when I went to register it the serial number wasn't recognized making me wonder exactly where Amazon is getting them. Of course, it hasn't affected my machine,I just haven't been able to register it. The machine itself has been wonderful. I have used it so much this year with my hybrid stuff. I thought about buying the Cameo this year because I am thinking of switching to 12x12 in my PL and scrapping but then I realized that I would have to also replace my printer that I love with a wide format printer and I do not want to go that route so I am sticking with my portrait and 8.5x11 for scrap pages. I think you will really like it. I LOVE mine!
Click to expand...

Amanda...I live in Germany, bought my Portrait from a German shop and I also can't register it! Same problem with the serial number. Maybe that's a Portrait-problem?
 
I registered my Portrait, but I bought it from the Silhouette America shop when I was in the US.
 
gracielou said:
I bought the portrait last year around Christmas on Amazon for the same price. My only complaint is that when I went to register it the serial number wasn't recognized making me wonder exactly where Amazon is getting them. Of course, it hasn't affected my machine,I just haven't been able to register it. The machine itself has been wonderful. I have used it so much this year with my hybrid stuff. I thought about buying the Cameo this year because I am thinking of switching to 12x12 in my PL and scrapping but then I realized that I would have to also replace my printer that I love with a wide format printer and I do not want to go that route so I am sticking with my portrait and 8.5x11 for scrap pages. I think you will really like it. I LOVE mine!
Click to expand...

I bought it from Silhouette directly since it appeared that Amazon and Silhouette US were both selling the exact same thing at the same price with free shipping. It said any orders over $50. However I didn't realize until the final step that they did charge me $16 for shipping bc there was a teeny tiny asterisk next to the "Free Shipping over $50" that I did not notice. It excluded the Portrait Deal at $99. :( So I guess I will be able to register mine but it makes me mad that I paid the shipping without realizing!
 
DixieDoesPSP said:
Is there a link to this purchase? I would love to get the Designer one. I have actually been wanting this for Christmas. There are so many i don't know which ones I need to look at.
Click to expand...


Kellie - here is the link to the Black Friday Deals at the Silhouette site ...
http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/blackfriday#anchor . You have to use the code BLACK to get the discounts.
They have a bunch of packages based on what you are looking for and you can click on them and see all that they include. Be aware that the Free Shipping is not for the $99 Portrait Holiday Steal deal, there may be other exclusions. The one with the DE software is the Best Portrait Bundle Ever. (Just tried to link you up to the individual deals but it keeps defaulting to the main Black Friday Page)

Amazon has it here with free Prime shipping if you are a Prime Member - but Amanda states she bought it from Amazon (not sure which seller) and cannot register the product. http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-SI...448888019&sr=1-1&keywords=silhouette+portrait
The DE software is also sold here at Amazon for under $25 right now : http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-St...48888019&sr=1-14&keywords=silhouette+portrait
 
Last edited:
I'm sure you will love your Portrait Jenn. I bought mine about a year and a half ago. I don't even do paper scrapping and I still use mine all the time. Most recently I've been cutting tons of stencils out for my art journaling stuff. :) The first time I used it was a little frustrating, but after that, it was super easy. Let us know when you unbox and maybe start a thread for your questions. There are enough of us that have them that can answer so you won't have to be frustrated. :)
 
jenn mccabe said:
Amazon and Silhouette both have great deals on the Silhouette cutting machines right now ... averaging about 50% off. I toyed with buying one over the summer months ... mostly because it would fun to use for my planner. I could easily get away with just using the smaller Portrait size cutting machine. And it's $99.99 w/free shipping.

But I notice the bundle option has the Designer Edition Software (for svgs) and is $149.99. So all the cute svgs that Just Jaimee etc make here at the Lilypad wouldn't be able to be used unless I get that Designer Edition software? Is there a work around?

If I do get the basic $99 option, I just want to make sure I can make a cute sheet of little planner elements to print and cut ... like this:

samplemambiplanner.jpg


This would work with the Silhouette Studio software that comes with the machine right?
Click to expand...

I want to know what cute little planner printables those are?
 
Back
Top