The biggest giveaway ever - a Sizzix eclips machine.

I'm practically giddy today. Why? I'm giving away a Sizzix eclips machine to one reader. One very, very lucky reader. How did this happen? If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know my Sizzix Big Shot is like a family member to me - so at Summer CHA I made a beeline for the Sizzix booth. I got to see a demo of the eclips, new for 2010, and I was standing there with my mouth open. This IS the most awesome die cutter in existence. You are probably wondering what the features are and why the eclips is so amazing. Here's a picture analogy:

Remember Rosie, the maid from The Jetsons? She did everything! The eclips may not make you dinner, but it does everything that a perfect die cutter should do, PLUS so much more. I've done a lot of research and reading about the eclips, and I'd like to share with you my five favorite things about it.

1. The laser point image preview. Does your die cutter have this capability? I didn't think so. Sizzix very wisely added this preview feature so that you are ensured the perfect cut size every time and no more wasted paper. If you are a terrible eyeballer like me, then you love this feature like I do.
2. The cartridge art. Sizzix has always had the best artwork for their dies, so it's no surprise that the eclips artwork is also awesome. My favorites are Halloween & Scaredy Cat Alphabet and then Tween & Look at Me Alphabet. LOVE the squirrel in particular. For all designs, Sizzix offers creative features including shadows, outline, solid, decorative borders, picture-in-picture and mirror.
3. Speaking of the artwork, the artists were very kind to include all of the elements of their designs so that you can cut them separately. For instance, if you have a flower and leaf shape, you can choose to cut the entire flower and leaf OR just cut out some flowers. How flexible is that?
4. The pen holder accessory. You can draw shapes and even use glue pens and then add glitter. This is perfect for adding black glitter to my Halloween projects!
5. Ease of use. I'm sure you would guess that I'm good with electronics since I'm on the computer every day blogging, but that's not the case. I frequently have problems with phones, and I don't mean cell phones. Even I can use the eclips. I told you I saw the live demo at CHA, and I even got to inspect it closely. I knew I could figure it out even if Kevin the demo guy weren't there.

Time to give this puppy away! You'll be a getting a Sizzix eclips starter kit, a $500 value. Ah Sizzix . . . you are so wonderful. Here are the rules of this contest.
1. Add yourself as a follower of this site if you aren't already and then let me know you did.
2. Visit the Sizzix eclips site and tell me why you would like it in your comment where you tell me you are a follower.
3. Contest ends September 18th at midnight, EST.
4. US residents only at this time, please.

Disclaimer: Sizzix didn't compensate me in any way for this blog post - they are simply a great company that has offered an eclips to one of my readers, and for that I thank them. For more about the eclips, visit the Sizzix videos here.