Looking to buy a Silhouette SD in Canada?

My local scrapbooks store sells the Silhouette SD for 349.95!!! Ouch.
Many people are looking to find somethign to replace their Cricut, now that Provo Craft is suing any one who makes software to cut your own images on your Cricut without a cartridge.

Overstocks.com is selling the Silhouette SD for 198.33 and will now ship to Canada!
Here is link:
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Silhouette-SD-Digital-Craft-Cutter-with-10-Gift-Card/4400810/product.html?rcmndsrc=5

Shipping is approx. 25.00 and duties another 25.00. So total is about 253.00. Still not too bad if you compare 253.00 to 350.00.

The embossing folders for use in Provo Craft Cuttlebug have to be one of the best values for any scrapbooker or card maker. The folders are cheap, easy to use and the results are amazing.Most folders are under 5.00 and have high impact. If you do ANY kind of card making these really are a must have.
If you don’t have a Cuttlebug or any other die cutter I strongly recommend trying to fins one. You can usually pick up a pretty good price ( around 50-60.00) and but with coupons for Micheal’s or Joann’s, etc. You can read more about the Cuttlebug in my Cuttlebug Review post.

the embossing folder are great! They have several kinds for almost every occasion but I will list here the embossing folders that I consider “must have” or essential ones to start off your collection/addiction.

Best Embossing Folders for Cuttlebug

This is a nice all purpose floral design that will become one of your favorites, I reach for it time and time again.

I love this one. Use on it one for a background or run through cut shapes for fabulous texture. Probably one of the most popular and must have embossing folders.

Basic design and a must have embossing folder.

The perfect Winter/Christmas/Holiday embossing folder. You will get tons of use out of this one.

Really lovely and versatile design on this embossing folder with subtle floral design that doesn’t over power.

Worth mentioning- Cuttlebug Embossed Borders These give you great big bang for your buck and I recommend picking these up!.

Some “nice to have” embossing folders:

Click link to see image
A2 Embossing Folder-Distress Stripes
Cuttlebug 37-1134 A2 Embossing Folder, Thanks
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: A2 Traffic Jam
Cuttlebug 37-1133 A2 Embossing Folder, Happy Birthday

The simplest way to cut is to use files that come with your machine and software. Usually Robo master or Design Master. The files are loaded initio software and you can look in “My Library” or “File-> Thumbnail Browser” to find files to load and cut. You can then move around and change size according to your software.

How to Buy GSD Files for Craft Robo, Silhouette, etc.

If you have Quickutz Silhouette machine you can purchase digital cutting files from the Quickutz site- you can only do this thought the Robo Master software that came bundled with you Silhouette or download from the Quickutz site using ” Purchase Files” in the software, creating a Quickutz account and purchasing download cards.
If you are going to do this there are several place where you can buy heavily discounted download cards so I would but online from reputable seller or often you LSS will sel then at discount.
The Quickutz files in my opinion are very pricey and many similar can be found for much less cost or free. I will also say that their designs are very nice and cut beautifully on the machine.
These files are encrypted so you cannot share them.

Digital Design Cd’s for Quickutz Silhouette

There are several design cds available for Quickutz Silhouette, they are called ” Quickutz Design Portfolios“. You can buy these sets on CD and install on your computer. They will automatically be installed on your

computer and can be accessed through Library in Robo Master software.you can install on multiple computers with no problem.
This is one of the more economical ways of buying new designs for you Silhouette.

Buy GSD Files from 3rd party Sites for Silhouette, Craft Robo and Wishblade

You can buy designs from 3rd party sites. The files are usually designed by professional designers and avid users of various digital cutters. The quality can vary however the popular Cutting file sites have editors than check quality constantly. You will often see various file formats available other than GSD and these are use in different cutters or using alternative to Robo Master software ( Adobe Illustrator , Kik n Kut and Funtime for example) Even Cricut users can buy single files in the SVG file format using SCAL ( Sure Cuts A Lot) software and their Cricut.

The designer files are a very good value and you can often contact designer to custom make a design you would like. I am happy to custom design a file for your cutter in the $1-4.00 range. email for details. You basically choose a file or set of files you are interested in buying then pay with pay pal or credit card.You can down load you files in GSD format. When you open Robo Master check go to “File-> Open” and browse to your downloaded files. Often the files will be zipped with terms of use and introduction so you will have to unzip first.
You can download free zip software here. Just click on zipped file and browse where you want the files saved.

Download Free GSD Files for Your Craft Robo, Quickutz Silhouette and Wishblade

There are many sites that offer free files. You can do a search on Google for “Free GSD Files” or similar.
Many sites and designers offer lots of free GSD files for download and many of the paid cutting file sites / When you find files you lie just download. Most likely the files will be zipped to unzip to folder and you can cut the file simply by going into robo Master, “FILE-> Open” and then browse to your file and open. You can see image of file while browsing by suing “File-> Thumbnail Browser” in Robo Master.
Any Question or if you are having problem- let me know!
I offer free GSD/SVG and KNK files every Friday- you can find them on my free cutting files page.

GSD File Links
List of Sites With Free GSD Files
My Free GSD Files
Freebie Friday Free GSD Files
Cutter’s Market- Download GSD, DXF, SVG, AI and other file types.

Best Prices on the QuicKutz Silhouette

ScrappyLand has them on for 129.95 No bonuses at time of this wrting and shipping I believe is 15.00.

Crafts Direct on for 119.00.

Crafts Direct“>ScrapbookingTM has the QuicKutz Silhouette on sale for 119.00 and includes 25.00 download card. From th esite it looks like shipping is 15.00. This is a GREAT price.

If you have ever thought about getting one these are great prices.
I love this cutter a hundred time more than Cricut! Among other things you can cut any TT font on you computer and get toss of free GSD cutting files online.

Lowest price for Quickqutz Silhouette and Best Place to Buy Silhouette?

Note: I am listing advertised prices for the QuicKutz Silhouette and cannot comment on the reliability of these online retailers.

How to cut Cut Longer Files in Craft Robo and Silhouette

You need a bit of “extra” on the end of your mat so it can feed in the machine so about the longest you can make a cut file on your cutting machine is 9/10 inches with the standard size mat.

How To Make 12 Inch Borders and Cut Files on Craft Robo and Quickutz Silhouette

I am a big border person. I love to use them in my scrapbooks., maybe because of my Creative Memories background- it is a hard habit to break. I was really stumped as to why I couldn’t make with my machine and realized it was a simple-ish fix. I just needed a longer mat.

I have made my own mats a few times ( you can read my post on How to make Your Own Craft Robo, Silhouette and Cricut Machines) and I personally like them more than the original mat that came with my Silhouette. One issue I did have was finding something that I could use for a lingger mat to make borders for my scrapbook pages..
If you can find the right length of plastic- go for it- just follow directions on the Make Your Own Mat for Cricut Mahines, Silhouette and Craft Robo post I mentioned.

I found the easiest thing to do- especially if you don’t have the adhesive or a Xyron 900 is to just cut down a large Cricut mat. This is probably the least expensive option.

What you need:
Cricut 12-Inch By 24-Inch Mat pack of two cost about 17.00.
Painters tape
Scissors
WD-40 or similar ( Goo Gone, any kind of adhesive remover, and I think an acetone based nail polish remover would work as well.)

I was VERY happy with how these turned out.

Step One:
Cut down your mat. The Cricut mats come in a pack of two. You can cut one 10×17 size mat and then or however long you want. You can make longer if you like.
Cut your mat down. Use the measurements that are printed on the mat as your guide. I used scissors with n problems, I was going to sue craft knife but then had to worry about my cutting mat- seemed like overkill.

Remove Excess Adhesive From Mat

Use your painters tape and tape down the two side of your mat. ( Actually if you really only have to do this along one side). You need to leave about a 1/2 inch strip of mat exposed. You are going to remove the adhesive along the sides- this is so rollers can feed that mat in and out of your machine.
( Note I used duct tape in this- which can strip some some of the adhesive off- use painters tape OR if you use Duct / masking tape and remove some of the stickiness put pulling it on and off some fabric)

Don’T spray the WD-40 right on the mat it will get on parts where you want adhesive. I used a little bit on a cotton ball. The adhesive came right off very easily.
When I took tape off of used a bit of soapy water on cotton ball to get rid of oily residue.

You are done! test out your mat. When you are in your software ( most likely Robo Master) and making a 12 inch die cut or border set user size to width of mat and length 15 inches. Remember you need at least 2 extra inches on your mat so it can feed. So if you want to cut 14 inches you need at least a 16 inch mat, etc.

Go ahead and cut!
Note: Make sure you have enough room at the BACK of your cutter and it doesn’t hit a wall

The new Quickutz collection features such things as a toaster bacon and eggs, chef outfits for paperdolls, mixing bowls and spoons, a die cut pizza with toppings.

These are CUTE!

It basically puts a coating on your scrapbook paper and cardstock (does not discolor) that makes for crisper embossing and best of all- easier and cleaner cuts.
If you do hand embossing it eliminates any need for wax paper and you get a smoother finish.
It cost about 5.00 for a 2 oz. bottle.
You spray on your paper in light mist. When it dries (which take no time at all) cut with you punch, die cutting machine like Cuttlebug, Cricut or Silhouette. You will be AMAZED at the difference.
I use circle punches all the time and this made a big difference- was very smooth motion and paper really “popped”.

This has become one of my favorite Scrapbooking products.
I know can buy at Amazon ( they only ship within US) and www.CreateForLess.com
.

I have not seen at Micheal’s or Joann’s crafts.

What Are the Cheapest Replacement Blades for Silhouette Die Cutting Machines?

I found an online store that sells Silhouette replacement blades at a great price-
You can buy them at Scrapbookdiecutter.com for only 11.00 plus shipping.

This is the best price I have ever seen for replacement blades and where I will get my next set.

Free GSD Files, KNK, SVG and other Free Files for Digital Craft Cutters

Sandy McCauley as well as having some great KNK and digital cutter advice offers free files on her blog http://www.iloveknk.com/FreeFiles. The files are worth a look- more intricate than you usually see offered for free.

Crafty Blonde has a blog of almost all free designs for download as well as some nice craft ideas.

Scrappin with Sharon and Smokey Sharon Mobley has some nice freebies in a wide variety of formats. She has some niece free holiday designs.

The Creative Pointe has a blog with a nice selection of free cutting files to download. The files are in SVG format.

One of my favorite sites with some intersting designs for download http://www.littlebit.com/cutter/cutter_files_index.html

Also her blog, http://dragonhomer.blogspot.com/ has tons of free files and ideas.

www.gettingcricky.com blog with selection of free files offered weekly.

FreeSVGFiles.com Offer a huge selection of links SVG only files. They are categorized nicely.

JennieBeanCrafts Some really detailed designs and offered in wide range of formats.

Risalenee Creations has some nice designs in GSd and WPC format, She does creates some very nice paper piecing.

Mamaw’s Legacy is a FABULOUS resource for free gsd files. She has a large selection available for downlaod and they are well organized. Especially nice are her dragons Some great holiday GSD
files, too here

Pabykin Creations has some great character freebies- including Sesame Street, Barney, Dora and Diego.

MyDieCuts has HUGE quantity of free file downloads in GSD, KNK and other files formats here. there must be HUNDREDs of them I especially like the “most popular” download feature you can see, if you are looking for a place to download or share your cutting files with others.

Jen Adkins Designs has some nice freebies for download in mulitple formats.
.
Scrapi has a wide selection of free .gsd files for your digital cutter. The site is a bit difficult to navigate but there are some good finds. She also has some GSD patterns files for sale.

Tons of Files can be found here. It is in Swedish but if you scroll to bottom you will see a menu… just go into these links. It is well worth the effort. Just a giant collection of excellent free GSD and other files for digital die cutting machines.

GSD Junkie does outstanding and interesting work. She does Hello Kitty stuff that is top notch. I notcie that there has been very little activity on the site so grab her designs while you can.

Diana’s Designs has a blog that sells images for digital die cut machine but she also has weekly free GSD files to download for your Wishblade , Silhouette or other digital die cutting machine.
Diana is probably my favourite GSD file designer- her stuff is lovely!

Scrappy Dappy Dew! has a great blog- Some nice freebies here in multiple cutting formats as well as lots of tutorials for making your own files uses SCAL.

here you will find tons and tons of FREE GSD files for Silhoutte, Craft robo and other die cut machines that use Robo Master and GSD file format, . The files are in categories and zipped so may take you a while to plow through them. These are also exceptionally well done.

Dragonshome has a very very nice selection of free files in pretty much every format. I like that all her files are in one place and easy to download. She has done some exceptionally nice Christmas files to download for your cutter.

Jayrewcraft has some nice free GSD files. The site is difficult to navigate and hard to find previews of the images but worth it. She has some unusual and very well done designs to download.

ILoveCraftRobo.com has a huge variety of FREE GSD files. There is no preview window so you have to be patient. There are tons of freebies here. Some nice welded titles, a very cute “Martini Time” title with Martini Glass gsd file.
Also lots of basic shapes, tags and sliders for scrapbooks.

Scrappy Dew offers weekly and more free files to download. The files look very professional.

Dragon’s Home Place Has lots of files including some basic ones for free download in sevral formats.
AI, DXF, GSD, JPG, SVG, AND WCP ( I think she means WPC )

List Free SVG Cutting File Sites

Creations by AR has a few freebies that are changed and updated frequently. SVG and DXF formats

Quite possibly my favorite blog right now, Someday Clever does not have lots of free files but the info on her blog is well worth the visit. Grab a coffee and stay a while on this fantastic.

Vendibles Blog Has tons of free designs, she is ofering a new one every day until March 2010.

IdzyBitzy has quite a few free SVG and template files to use with Cricut.

Denise’s Scrapbooking Room features oodles of free SVG design files. Most are quite unusual and intricate- very well done!