The Cameo is great. The Studio software that comes with it can do a lot, but it takes some time (and some mistakes) to make it work. A few things I'd recommend:
1. When "tracing" objects, make sure to turn off the "high pass filter".
2. Use the "offset" tool on any text to make it thicker.
3. After you've used your machine for a while (or had a particularly tight set of cuts), take the blade out and remove the little cap on it to clean off the little vinyl pieces.
4. Check out the Silhouette School blog when you have a question.
5. Join the "Silhouette Cameo Project Inspiration" Facebook group. Mostly it's a group of women showing off their ornaments/t-shirts/welcome signs, but I've learned a good bit on there.
Please contact me if you have any questions!