got the Cameo Silhouette and it works!!
I ended up getting the Cameo Silhouette on sale at Michael's and have finally gotten a chance to use it! I did a fusible backed pumpkin (from their library) and maple leaves (came with the cutter) and all worked excellently. I had a table topper made with a tumbler ruler from Missouri Star Quilt Co in fall colors and put the pumpkin and leaves on a brown blender backing. I then put the quilt on the frame with the backing on top and quilted around the appliqued pumpkin/leaves. Now I have taken it off and flipped it and will quilt a filler around the "applique" design and borders. Once I get it done I'll post a picture.
Really pleased with the Silhouette--know it will never take the place of a rotary cutter/ruler, but for applique and for the "weird" shapes I want for art quilts, it's great. Plus my DD and DIL are asking for some paper and vinyl cut-outs for home décor and scrapbooking. And the directions talk about using it to cut stencils--something I'd never even thought about!
Thank you to all that gave me ideas on choosing a cutter!