Shimmer Paint vs. Glimmer Pad

[Alice in Md]

I would like to see people �compare and contrast� two Stampin� Up products:

Shimmer Paint, on page 158 of the 2012-2013 SU! Catalog,
and
Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Stampin� Pad, on page 23 of the current Holiday Catalog.

How can/should they be used? Do they create the same effect? Advantages or disadvantages of each? Other thoughts? Thank you!

[StampinGrams]

I too would love to see comments on these products--I have shimmer paint--never opened it. Would like to know thoughts on the Illuminate Glimmer pad. Please ladies who have used these help us out.

[PH in VA]

I don't have any experience with the Illuminate Glimmer Watermark pad, so I can't comment on that.

However, I like using the Frost White Shimmer Paint to create the look of snow. Here are links to a few examples:
dynamic tagged penguin by PH in VA - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
hello deerie - HYCCT1117 by PH in VA - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
Christmas 2009 by PH in VA - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

For each of those, I used a paintbrush to add the paint to the cardstock. For the tree card linked above, I used the paint with a fairly dry brush because I wanted the green of the trees to show through. Even though I made approximately 75 of those cards, I'm using the same bottle of paint I bought then, and it's still about 2/3 full. (In other words, a little paint goes a long way.)

I've never watched the clock on it, but the paint doesn't take too long to fully dry - maybe 15 minutes? But that could also depend on how thickly you apply it.

I've tried using a paper towel to dab the paint onto a stamp, but didn't like the results when I stamped the image. I think the paint is too thin and got the rubber too wet to make a clear imprint. I didn't think to try it the other way - tapping the stamp onto the saturated paper towel. I've only tried this with rubber stamps, so I don't know how much different the results might be with clear stamps.

I have not tried using the paint on surfaces other than cardstock.

I bet it would look pretty applied to flowers for a wedding or anniversary card.

I realize my experiences are pretty limited, but hopefully you'll find this information helpful.

[hegwalker]

I love the shimmer paint. I have applied it using an SU sponge dauber directly to my stamp. To me, it is a more pronounced look than the Glimmer Pad. The drying time seems to be relatively short. When "it's dry" it really is dry.

Enjoy!

[eboyd]

I would like some tutorials on using the Illuminate pad. How do you use it?