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Thursday, October 27, 2011

the Silhouette Cameo Review 2 : The First Cut

For my first cut with the Silhouette Cameo, I chose to use an image that I had downloaded from the Silhouette Store. I don't have any special reasons for doing that other than I just  wanted to quickly cut something with the Cameo and didn't want to waste time selecting images.


The snowflake was brought to the virtual mat at about 4" wide. I reduced it by 50% which brought the size down to about 2" wide.

For this first cut, I used Michael's Recollection cardstock and set the blade at 3. Bear in mind that this is my first cut with the Cameo and that I still have a lot to learn about it. I decided to use this setting based on what I saw on the instructional video that came with the cutter.


I must admit that while I was super excited when I saw what had been cut, I was also a little apprehensive. The mats for the Silhouette SD tend to be overly sticky when they are brand new. I did not "pre-condition/un-sticky" the Cameo mat before loading it into the cutter. I just peeled off the backing paper, stuck my cardstock onto it and loaded the whole thing. I was afraid to remove the cutout in case it rips due to the stickiness of the new mat.


I was so surprised when the cardstock peeled off easily from the mat! I was amazed.


I could have easily removed the snowflake and weed off the negative but I wanted to leave the little circles on the mat to show you how they looked.


It turned out to be surprisingly easy to remove the cutout from the mat. I was so very impressed!


Check out the little circles left behind. The triangles in the center were also very cleanly cut out.


The negative layer look so good I may have to find a way to use that on a card (e.g. use transfer paper).


I couldn't stop gushing about the Cameo to Hubby. I love the 2" snowflake! As soon as he turned his attention back to the T.V., I hurried back and decided to cut an even smaller snowflake. What if I reduced the size further by another 50%? That will make the snowflake about an inch wide. Can the Cameo handle that?


I loaded the mat and waited with bated breath as the cutter started to do its thing. Even when it finished cutting, I was still doubtful that it had gotten the job done.


I gently peeled back the cardstock and....


OMG! It cut out the 1" snowflake! Circles and everything! I was floored!


The circle-negatives are mere specks! That's so insanely amazing.


So now you know why I must do the review for the Silhouette Cameo. :-)


I know that many of you prefer seeing the cutter in action so I made a video for you too. In it I will also show you the differences between the Silhouette SD and the Silhouette Cameo. You can view it here:





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Edit to add the other posts in this series:

Part 0: Coming Soon: the Silhouette Cameo Review
Part 1: the Unboxing
Part 2: the First Cut
Part 3: How to Cut with Make-the-Cut
(part 3a: How to install the Silhouette Cameo driver)

Part 4: How to Print-and-Cut with Silhouette Studio.

Extra: The smallest cut.



38 comments :

  1. That little snowflake blows my mind!!!

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  2. I know! I had to pick my jaw off the ground when I saw it.

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  3. awesome! i'm saving up for one. thanks for sharing.

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  4. Thanks for all the details....I've just gotta get one of these. The video is fun to watch!

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  5. Oh Jin you give me such hope for my misbehaving Cameo, that tiny snowflake :::gush::: Thanks for posting!

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  6. Wow! I wanted a Cameo before, but now I NEED one!! Hmmm...if only I can convince hubby that since my birthday is less than 2 weeks away...I could really use a THIRD cutting machine....I can wish, right?

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  7. Thank you so much for doing this review!! AMAZING machine! I was laughing during your video when you commented about being obsessed with circles, IKWYM cause that was my final straw on switching machines a couple years ago too. ;)

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  8. Jin you crack me up! :-) This looks pretty amazing! I'm psyched... Now I need to hear from you that it works well with MTC and then I will be sold... LOL ;-)

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  9. Jin, I have been playing and teaching myself how to use Cam and the Software. Last night I cut out an LD SVG that had little itty bitty circles and was amazed as well! It is awesome! I LOVE the new Silhouette Cameo! Thank you for your post.

    gettincraftystarkie.blogspot.com

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  10. Jin, I almost couldn't scroll to the next pic I know EXACTLY what you mean about the cardstock tearing on the overly sticky mats! I looked at the photo from behind my hands - you really had me nervous, girl! ha ha! AMAZING! I am so so so grateful for your reviews an d honest tutorials! I really wanted the Cameo before but NOW I MUST have it!!! You rock!

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  11. Hi Jin
    Thanks for the helpful video and all your tutorials. I did a cut w/ my new Cameo and it was a large cut 12x12 that did stick to the mat. The cut tore up as I tried to remove it. I will try to condition the mat or remove some of the stickinhess before I do another cut or maybe I will have better luck w/ a smaller design. Can you possibly make a video showing the print and cut feature of the cameo. I tried this and my cameo will not recognize the registration marks of the design. I used the free print and cut lettering delights design from last week. thanks K

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  12. Hi Jin! Just wondering if you can confirm that the Cameo will not work with MTC? I would also like to see some SVGs brought in - like some LD Cut Its. Thanks!

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  13. Great video! I'm hoping Santa will manage to put a Cameo under the tree for me.

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  14. Thanks Jin - can the Cameo work with a Mac?? Could I use SCAL with it also???

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  15. Jin do you remember what you used for the thickness and speed settings for these cuts? Thanks!

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  16. Thank you so much for ALL the great info on your blog. I just received my cameo and did a google search and thank goodness your blog came up! I have already learned so much from you!!!

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  17. I had no idea how precise this machine is! I'm so pulled apart of which cutting machine I should invest in! Thank you for reviewing!

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  18. Sniffffffffff... I'm sooo sad because I have the cricut and I'm very desappointed about it... I really want to buy the Cameo, I hope "Santa" bring me from christmas...

    Thank you for the review!
    Claudell

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  19. Amazing!!! If I didn't have thousands invested in the cricut, I would definitely consider this machine, the cuts are beautiful and I just love all the detailed cuts I have seen people make :-) TFS!

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  20. Thank You ever so much for your review & videos. I have this on my wishlist and was wondering how it works. Thanks for taking the time to share all these great details!

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  21. I'm so jealous:-( Just got my Silhouette and if I try to cut anything as small as that little snowflake it absolutely destroys the paper (frustrating). Is there a certain paper "quality" that I should be using. I think I'm also a little unclear on the direction of placing the cutting blade once I sit it completely in the holder - which direction should the little arm be turned?

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  22. Hi Jin, can you tell me where you got that snowflake? I would like that for my own collection.

    Thanks!

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  23. Hi Jin, can you tell me where you got that snowflake? I would like that for my own collection.

    Thanks!

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  24. OH MY GOSH! I am amazed! Even my hubby is amazed! I cant wait to get it in the mail!

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  25. I can't wait to get my silhouette, I just ordered it yesterday. That snowflake is the one that convinced me that I wanted to get it. Do you know who the designer is who made it? I've looked for hours for it and I can't find it. I've looked everywhere from browse all, to the categories. Thanks so much if you know who it is. Dee =)

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  26. Jin-

    I blame you. :) After I saw your review I did a little more research and I ended up getting the CAMEO, upgrading from my CE.

    Jacki

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  27. it's good video..thanks Jin.
    thank you again Jin for sharing.
    you make me i must get it one..

    Jin, you blog is useful.
    its good if you could also advise and tell the right papers (gsm/glossy/thinkness/types) that can accepted by Cameo.
    and the right papers for postcard, cards, cupcake wrappers, cupcake toppers.

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  28. I just got a Cameo from my daughter last week, it was a birthday present, yippee!!! After seeing what this amazing machine can do, she now wants to trade her Cricket for a Cameo. Checking the web for tutorials and I came across your site, via Gayle Galura's tutorial. I just bookmarked your site, thank you for a very informational video.

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  29. I just watched your video and then had to come visit your blog because you were so funny & so full of enthusiasm in the video. I'm going to be ordering a Cameo next week, after selling my Cricut Imagine.

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    1. Welcome to my blog, Elle. It has been several months since I bought my Cameo and I still love it. A lot. When you get your Cameo, I hope that you will visit my blog again to see my print-and-cut videos. The Cameo rocks at print-and-cut! :-)

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  30. Loved your video. I just bought the silhouette (it hasn't arrived yet) I have the "Other" cutting machine and have been disappointed on different occasions. Been trying to find videos to get ready for the arrival of my Cameo. Have any suggestions on vidoes I should watch first. Will I be able to print something on my printer and then cut it out with the Cameo?

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  31. I'm new at this. I make birthday pop-up cards as a hobby. I want to add this to my hobby to make cards. I'm trying to debate between Gazelle and the Sihouette Cameo. Which one would you recommend?

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  32. What are the main differences between the SD and the Cameo? I can't seem to find this info anywhere....

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    1. That the Cameo can cut 12"x12" sheets of cardstock while the SD can only cut A4 or letter-size (8.5" x 11.5"). Btw, the SD has been discontinued. Silhouette America will be releasing the new Silhouette Portrait in Nov. More info can be found on the Silhouette website here.

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  33. Thak you so much for this video. I received my Cameo about a month ago and just tried it for the first time yesterday and it was a perfect cut. I still have a lot to learn, but your blog was recommended by Kathy Wilke and I am so thankful to her, also, for helping me. I am signing up to your blog today. Thanks again.

    Dianne Bell - Sewpro02@aol.com

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  34. Have you cameo messed up when cutting svgs files? My cameo did! Can the cameo be reset? The blade gets stuck or something and cuts in the same place where it cut the svg file object. Sharon..help...email...sdah392@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Sharon, you may want to contact Silhouette Help Desk regarding your issue as they can better help you with the troubleshoot. They can be reached at http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/contact

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  35. When using Michael's Recollection what speed and thickness do you use?

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