Why Cameo Silhouette is awesome

Hello, blog.

(blow away the dust)

Hmm, in case anyone didnt know, i bought an electronic cutting machine in February 2014.
Well, 2 reasons for that.


1. I wanted a scrapbooking machine for eons. (In fact, ever since i start working)
2. It was a gift for myself after working hard for in my current job for one year. (I don know how I stay for a yr, but i managed to, somehow)

The decision: Big shot OR Cameo Silhouette.

I have thought long and hard which one to buy.

I gave it a thought for a very longgggggg time. I have a tendency to think and ponder on a particular item before i buy it, especially when it doesnt come cheap.

Before i know abt Cameo Silhouette, i have been thinking if i should buy a Big shot. The effects are so pretty~!! The embossing effect or the fast die cut result.

Dies = Shapes you will get after gg through the Big shot. It can cut all kinds of thick material. Many pcs of Paper, cardstock, felt, Cloth, plastic, vinyl, metal (!!!!) almost anythinggggg. Thats why its an amazing machine. The dies roll through the machine which puts pressure on them to cut or emboss the paper. I know its kind of hard to visualize how a pc of punch cuts can come out cut by just rolling through it. But ya, it works that way.

There is a downside to this. Dies are very expensive. And i mean it.

VERY EXPENSIVE. I know i will be bored with my dies shortly after. You will always cut the same thing with the same die. I know i will get bored.

Each die cost abt $30 during sales? And i will need many dies to cut different shapes.

So i started to look for forums; To see if i am able to sell them off when i don like them anymore, and make way for new ones. Or see if anyone is letting go pre-loved dies at a cheaper price.

Its kind of difficult to keep buying dies without feeling painful for my wallet. Thats why i hesitated. Else i would have bought my dream machine long ago.

But there is no such thing. So i never buy the Big shot. Cause i know i wont be able to sustain it.
Brush off that thought.

*****

I told all my concerns to Janice, my fellow scrapper.
She introduced me to this #amazeballs machine called the Cameo Silhouette.

Cameo Silhouette - An electronic cutting machine. Basically, you use the software and tell the machine to cut.

However, there is a huge price difference.

Currently, only maple tree house sells them in Singapore. A Cameo Silhouette cost $398:  http://www.mapletreehouse.com/webshaper/store/viewProd.asp?pkProductItem=24756

However, a big shot cost about $200 with a few basic dies for you to start with. The starting cost is DOUBLE. However, I feel that a Cameo Silhouette allows you to do ALOT ALOT more things.

1. While you cant cut all sorts of materials, its a more personalised machine; You can create and cut words to suit your project. Eg, Ask the mahcine to cut the words veronica eng. LOL. oh, in any fonts you like too!

2. You can cut shapes in the dimension you want; Big or small, you call the shots.


 Rolled paper flowers using cameo.


3. Not only that, you can literally find ANY image online and ask the machine to trace it and cut it for you. (you will need a printer for that)

I cut all these using Cameo Silhouette!


4. There are lots and lots of free traced images online (Pinterest is your best friend. I can spend hours pinning articles and finding inspiration)

5. You can cut VERY intricate images. A big shot cant do that! Look at all the fine lines!

6. The fact that you can cut literally any images give you more room for imagination on how you can do your project. You can even do 3D stuff!


BUTBUTBUTBUTBUTBUTBUT.

There are also downsides to it.

1. Being an electronic tool, it can get really cranky. Sometimes, that stupid machine may not work or uds your commands. (i am sure you experienced some crankiness with your laptop/printer (whatever electronics) before) So yup, there would be times where you feel like throwing your cameo. (I hope that day wont come!)

2. You have to on the laptop and machine, launch the software. Find the pictures to cut (unless you have saved them beforehand alr); It will take up more time.

A big shot is so simple!!! take the die, roll though the machine and TADAH! 10s job. LOL.

3. It will definitely not last forever. Afterall its an electronic! (I give it a lifespan of 3 yrs. I hope. I have a reputation of an electronic destroyer. LOL. But i have reviews that some have used it for 4 yrs alr!) It is likely that a big shot will last forever though. I really cannot see how a big shot will be damaged. LOL. HAHAHAHA.

After weighing the cons, I still love my cameo silhouette.
For the flexibility and the fact that i can cut literally anything. I just hope i wont destroy it that fast. HAHA.

Okay, let me convince you how awesome a cameo silhouette can be.

Did my first project using the cameo silhouette! I call it practice session for my future wedding projects. HAHA.

A clock that i bought from Malaysia when i was there to attend my bro's wedding. How apt! I bought this bicycle for yingtian sis's wedding, since her theme is on sports/bicycle. HAHA.

It also consist of a mini album to showcase 3 of her favourite wedding photos.


Its also my first altered project (clock) as well! I am in love with pearls, embellishments, flowers and butterflies. So i have a tendency to make my project like a garden. LOL.

Very flowery indeed. Totally my style. HAHA.


I didnt like the clock to be black in colour, cause it looked so gloomy and inauspicious for a wedding gift. So i used ribbons and spent 2 hours trying to "change the colour". HAHAHA.

I used cloth tape for the wheels!

P/s The clock is functional. Even though my mama commented, your clock cannot see the time!! ROFL. And, i absolutely adore the ceramic wedding bears!


The mini album. I used chipboard cause its a sturdy material to hold all my embellishments. I joined the 4 layouts tgt with a big ring camouflaged by ribbons. HAHA.


I used cameo silhouette to cut out the wedding gate as well as the words, "The special day 100514". (thats sis's wedding date)

Called that personalisation with cameo silhouette!


This is my favourite photo. #racetcyt is the hashtag for her wedding


Used Cameo Silhouette to cut out a bicycle to fit her theme. Thats a quote she wrote on IG on relationship. HAHA.


I got this idea from pinterest, and thought its very cool. HAHAHA. So i tried to do one myself!


A sequin pocket filled a happy colours (yes, i got a sewing machine as well)


Sis created this as a door gift; Race tag invitation magnets. I printed it out and add it to the album!


"The best day ever" is cut using Cameo Silhouette. HAHAHA.


And yes, the words " OO wedding day" as well. (Dont you love the wedding bears!!)


ARE YOU CONVINCED TO BUY A CAMEO SILHOUETTE YET.

Handmade gifts are priceless. I enjoy making them ttm and put a smile to their face. Happy scrapping all! (: