Well, not that random.

The one thing I do like in Gimp 2.8 is the text tool and in particular the ability to select a font as well as properties for parts of the entered test.

Starting with some text, and a path



A bit of duplication, rotating, and general tweaking gives this



Just a shame that putting text to path does not keep the colours but you can't have everything.

Totally with you. It's by far 2.8's best feature. Nice work you've done there. I keep meaning to play with this more myself.

I admit the new text tool is great but i use Bytes and Pixels Word Art python module for this type of thing.
Each word is on its own layer so you can select and color however you like.
I use another python module by Ofnuts called autocrop all linked layers to get better rotation.