Help!

Just to be clear, this post has nothing to do with Maddie. So if that's the only reason you check this blog, you can stop reading now! But if you really just love me and want to give me your input on a very important matter, keep going! :) As you may know, I've been getting in touch with my crafty side since Maddie was born, as you can see by the many craft blogs I follow on the right. But a lot of the projects I've come up with or seen really require a little more than a pair of scissors and a glue gun. I keep getting grand ideas only to have my creativity stunted by a serious lack of "toys." This was evident when I blogged about the totally awesome mobile I made, complete with 96 hand-cut circles (go me). I was so excited about it I posted it on a couple other craft blogs expecting heaps of praise only to have someone inform me that it would've been much easier with a paper punch. Yeah, duh.

So anyway, I've decided to ask for a personal cutter for Christmas. You know, those cool machines that cut out anything you want in a breeze. Just think of the endless possibilities!! Scrapbooks, vinyl wall sayings, cute personalized cards, blah, blah, blah. But I need help figuring out which one to get - a Silhouette or a Cricut (which I somehow always end up calling a cricket). So here's where you guys come in. Leave me a comment below with your thoughts - any experiences you've had with these machines, anything you've heard from a friend of a friend, etc. Help me realize my dream!!! Thanks :)

I like the Silhouette because I'm pretty handy with computer design programs (like Adobe Illustrator) so I like the idea of being able to make whatever I want without having to buy a bunch of cartridges at $50 a pop.

The Cricut is cheaper and is pretty much the standard from what I've seen - everyone has one or has used one. But those cartridges are mighty pricey ....