Home » Crafty » 5 Things I Love Most About My Silhouette Cameo Machine!

5 Things I Love Most About My Silhouette Cameo Machine!

2020 Update: All of the details about the EPIC Silhouette Holiday Sale are ready for you at the bottom of this post, so scroll down for the run-down. Or you can pop over to Silhouette’s website HERE and start shopping right away using my affiliate discount code CLOSET.

5 Things I Love MOST About My Silhouette Cameo Machine! (My absolute favorite crafting tool of all time. No exaggeration.) Plus a giveaway!

It’s no secret in these parts.  My *Silhouette Cameo is my absolute favorite crafting tool.  It is a powerhouse of a machine otherwise known as the Sultan of Slicing, the Queen Bee of Cutting, and The-Stuff-Crafting-Dreams-Are-Made-Of.

I’ve had my Silhouette Cameo since 2012, and it has served as my right-hand gal on countless projects, decor, and gifts.  In fact, you can peruse the whole lot of them in my project gallery, The Mother Lode of Silhouette Tutorials for Beginners.

Wondering what I love most about my Silhouette Cameo? I could probably gab your ear off all day. But since I know ain’t nobody got time for that, I narrowed down my list of what I love about my machine to the top 5!  And I’m eager to share them with y’all.  Plus, you’ll get a peek at some of my favorite creations.

5 Things I Love Most About My Silhouette Cameo

1.  The ability to create professional, personalized gifts.

This is what drew me to this machine in the first place.  I have such a passion for gift-giving, I even wrote a book about it!  And I have been able to create some truly meaningful gifts for my friends and family all thanks to my Silhouette Cameo, everything from custom onesies

Gender-Neutral Onesies using HTV. Such a fun and easy way to personalize a shower gift! FREE cut files via thinkingcloset.com
3 More Gender-Neutral Onesies & Free Cut Files

…to t-shirts

"Together Since" T-Shirts - Such a great idea for an anniversary gift! via thinkingcloset.com
“Together Since” Anniversary T-Shirts

…to etched casserole dishes for wedding gifts!

Glass Etched Casserole Dishes: Personalized Wedding Gift Idea - - Plus Your Questions Answered about The Art of Glass Etched Bakeware!
Glass Etched Casserole Dishes: Personalized Wedding Gift Idea

If you can dream it up, you can cut it!  It’s a gift-giver’s secret weapon.

2.  The variety of mediums it can cut!

Okay, are you ready for this list?  Here are the wealth of materials I have cut with my Silhouette Cameo (and this is just barely scratching the surface, if you can believe it):

  • paper
  • vinyl
  • heat transfer vinyl
  • freezer paper
  • rhinestone material
  • fabric
  • stamping material
  • chipboard
  • printable foil
  • tattoo paper
  • sticker paper
  • stencil material
  • printable magnet paper
  • double-sided adhesive
  • adhesive cardstock

Just visit the Silhouette America website to peruse all the options at your disposal.

Plus, you can swap out the blade for sketch pens, and sketch your designs like I did when creating place-cards.

Sketch Pen Place Cards | A Tutorial and Special Promotion by The Thinking Closet
Sketch Pen Place Cards

The NEW Curio machine can cut even thicker materials up to 2mm, and it boasts a 5mm clearance, so you can feed woods, canvas, metals, and more through that machine of yours!

Silhouette Curio | Cut and work with even thicker materials now!
Silhouette Curio | Photo by Silhouette America

3.  The time it saves me.

I had the honor of being in charge of reception decor for my sister’s wedding, and since we were working with a tight budget, we decided to D.I.Y. as much as we could.  And thanks to the help of my handy dandy Silhouette machine, we were able to churn out the creations in a fraction of the time it would have taken to cut everything by hand.  It makes my hand cramp up just to imagine what it would have been like to create those place-cards and bookmark wedding favors if we had been using scissors and x-acto knives.  In fact, I might not have lived to tell the tale!  {Wink.}

DIY Rustic Vintage Clothespin Place Card Holders | Love that can save on cost, but not scrimp on beauty with these gems! Step by step photo tutorial includes instructions on the easy method of staining the clothespins and how to design and cut the place card flags. Pop 'em in a vintage drawer with baby's breath and voila! Instant wedding whimsy!
DIY Rustic Vintage Clothespin Place Card Holders
DIY Bookmark Wedding Favors - - perfect for the book-lovin' bride and groom! And you can't beat a price-point of 50 cents per bookmark! Nab the free cut file for your Silhouette, then prepare to wow those wedding guests with all of the whimsical, handmade touches on these favors!
DIY Bookmark Wedding Favors

4.  The money it saves me.

Why buy gift wrap when you can make it yourself with your machine?

Create your own Christmas Tree Gift Boxes out of paper! Perfect for stocking stuffers, co-worker gifts, jewelry, or even a gift at each place setting for Christmas dinner. Grab your FREE printable template at thinkingcloset.com
Christmas Tree Gift Boxes: FREE Printable

Why buy wall art when you can sketch it with your Silhouette Cameo machine?

Mason Jar Art with Sketch Pens by The Thinking Closet
Mason Jar Art with Sketch Pens

Why buy photo booth props when you can make your own?

Create your own photo booth props!
DIY Photo Booth Props

I’ve always been thrifty, and I love when my Silhouette Cameo machine helps me save money by simply doing-it-myself.  Plus, I get the joy of a fun crafting session.

Which leads me to my last item…

5.  The creativity it has unlocked.

Having the ability to amp up my crafting game with the help of my Silhouette machine has truly catapulted my creativity, and I’ve been able to create projects with more innovation than I ever would have without it.

One of my favorite creations from this past year were my 1980s Fashion Plate Greeting Cards.  I busted out my childhood toy, Fashion Plates, and with the help of my Silhouette and a splash of creative inspiration, I was able to create some retro-fabulous cards.  Like totally!  Fer sure!  {Smile.}

Fashion Plate Greeting Cards: A Fun Retro-Inspired Craft Project for anyone who grew up in the 1980s or 1990s - - and this step by step tutorial includes a free printable and cut file so you can make your own and relive your youth! These fab cards are guaranteed to bring a smile (and wash of nostalgia) to your recipient. Like totally! Fer sure! {Smile.}
Fashion Plate Greeting Cards & FREE Printable

Bottom line: this machine is pretty magical.  And I hope you get the chance to flex those creative muscles of yours and put one to use very soon.

2020 Update: EPIC Silhouette Holiday Sale

I’m going to rock your socks off with an EPIC Silhouette Holiday sale (a day early before the rest of the world). You, your friends, your neighbors, your Aunt Rosie, you’re all going to want in on this one. So, if you’ve been holding out for the perfect time to buy a Silhouette machine of your own, this is it, folks. These are the best deals of the entire year, and not just on machines.

My affiliate code CLOSET will also get 50% off on all of their consumable supplies, 50% off of all their software, and $5 shipping on all orders. Yup. (I told you: EPIC.)

If you can’t wait any longer and want to start shopping, here’s the only link you need:

CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING

Just be sure to “sign in” to your account (or create one) so that you can enter my promo code CLOSET at checkout and get these deals.

Silhouette Elite Holiday Sale 2020 - use code CLOSET at checkout for those big discounts!

And you don’t want to wait! The sale officially starts tomorrow and runs through December 7th at midnight M.S.T. However, as a Silhouette Elite team member, I have a super special link that gets you access to the sale a day before the rest of the world. So, grab those items you have your heart set on before they start selling out.

Once again, click HERE to access those crazy deals and machine bundles a day early!

Wondering what supplies to buy?

It can feel overwhelming sometimes perusing the wealth of different supply options on the Silhouette website. And it’s easy to feel a monster rise within that just screams, “Give me all the things!”

But if you’d like a more balanced shopping approach, I dedicated an entire post to sharing recommended supplies for different “types.”

  • The Essentials
  • The Spice of Life Variety Pack
  • The Fabric-Lover’s Wish List
  • Supply List for the Seriously-Obsessed

Click HERE to check out what’s on those lists! And then you’ve got my code CLOSET to enter at checkout for 50% off those supplies over at the Silhouette shop. Woot woot!

The Best Silhouette Supplies for Beginners to Experts | Recommended supplies from "The Essentials" to "The Spice of Life Variety Pack" to "The Fabric-Lover's Wish List" to "Supply List for the Seriously Obsessed." These supplies are tried and true by a seriously obsessed gal herself! Check 'em out for a more balanced shopping approach as opposed to "buy all the things!"

This is Lauren, signing off.Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please rest assured that as always, I only recommend products that I use and love like my Silhouette Cameo! (In fact, I’m officially obsessed.)

| | |

30 Comments

  1. I missed the give-away but it’s definitely on my wish-list for retirement when I finally make that decision! What fun I’ll have! Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Oh yes! I can see you whipping up lots of creative projects with a Silhouette at your fingertips. Of course, I’d love to be there by your side to craft WITH you!

  2. Missed the sale (that’s okay…I didn’t have a budget for it anyway), but loved the shared experiences of your creativity with that machine. I’ve seen cricut, but I’ve never seen this one! You’ve given us lots of great ideas…so thanks for sharing and inspiring us!!!

  3. Lauren,

    Thank you, not only for this generous giveaway, but just for being the sunny and positive person you are. I “found” you only a few months ago, but the timing couldn’t have been better. I have had a pretty rough year, especially the last 6 months or so, and you have been a huge help to me. I lost my mother at the end of June, and got very sick at the end of July. I have just been to Mayo Clinic getting diagnosed and treated and found your blog posts, your YT videos and your Periscopes a huge encouragement and help during these times. You may not realize that what you do touches so many in so many ways. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I wish you and your hubby a very Happy Thanksgiving.

    1. Maureen, so kind of you to write this! I am so sorry that you lost your mom in June and had your own illness, but what a blessing that you have been encouraged by Lauren’s blog! I’m her mom and I lost my mom last year as well and she lost her Mor Mor. We miss her dearly but are so thankful for her life and all she meant to us. I trust you had a precious and meaningful holiday season!

      Do we know who won the Silhouette? I’ll have to check in with Lauren about that!

  4. What a generous thing to do, I know my oldest daughter would love this and get a lot of use out of it, she’s so crafty.
    Kerry

  5. Wow! What an incredible giveaway, I have definitely took advantage of all the giveaway entries- I just hope I did it right- looking forward to my chances. Hopefully I win!! 🙂 Just in time to be crafty for my Birthday and Christmas. I just admire how crafty and unique your DIY stuff is, looking forward to lots more creative ideas.

  6. Thank you for helping me with all the beginner ides. Love this machine my daughter will love it too thinking about getting her one for Christmas. I will definitely make sure to introduce you to her so she can also enjoy all you have to share. Happy Thanksgiving.

  7. Thank you, my dear, for hosting this fantastic giveaway! I have a long list of projects, thanks to your inspiration, just waiting for one of these babies!

    1. Annie, you can enter the giveaway yourself using the widget at the bottom of the post. If it doesn’t show up right away, just click refresh. And you can grab 13 entries before midnight tonight! Best of luck.

  8. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I’d love to win this. I have been working with the homeless and these things mean so much to them made with heart and love. Thank you for the chance.

  9. Thank you for sharing your Silhouette experience, Lauren. I’ve been looking at both the Cameo and the competitor product with very little feed back on why people like each product. Your product review makes picking one over the other much easier. It’s hard to find product reviews that talk about what the machine CAN DO instead of what it cannot do. This really helps me make the decision to pull the trigger on making a purchase for a Silhouette in the next few weeks.

  10. This is great! I have always wanted a Silhouette to take my crafting to the next level. Thanks for sponsoring a GREAT giveaway!

  11. I am really excited because I found you. Hoping to learn and receive some of your wonderful inspiration. So far I am in love with your blog. Let the creative juices flow!! Thank you for sharing this amazing part of your life. Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  12. Awe too bad I can not enter the give away as I stay in South Africa.
    I absolutely love your blog. I’m also a creative thinker and your creations inspire me again.
    Thank you.

    Enjoy the Christmas season.
    Warm greetings from South Africa
    Christelle

  13. I would love to win this one. I never win any but there is always hope that I will…yeah!!! Happy Birthday to me if I win….(Dec. bday)

Your comments make my day!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *