Wow, I just saw this thread!
You will definitely love love love the Cameo!
That's what I've used for all the projects in my gallery here. I've gone through
Cricut, Bosskut Gazelle & now I'm in love with the Silhouette Cameo. I still have my baby SD which is still working just fine.
I've used my Cricut mats with mine also;however, I think you are better off to use the Silhouette mat whenever you do a print & cut. The print & cut is the most awesome feature and none of the other machines have the optical eye like the Cameo does.
I bought mine from OhMyCrafts and they always have great coupons to use on orders. I think I got mine last fall for $169.99
Silhouette has come out with the new Portrait machine which is going to retail for $199.99. I really think the price will go down on it because that's more than most people paid for the Cameo last fall.
And it cuts a smaller width of paper.
You'll have so much fun with it!