Two more from the "I'm too sick to move so I might as well be productive while I sit here and do nothing of any value" files:
There's a story behind this design, just like there's a reason behind every design I create. This one however, is a bit of a neat coincidence.
Some years ago I was reading something, somewhere. It might have been a book, magazine or a web page, I don't really recall what it was, but the topic was Christian liberty, and how so many Christians really have no idea what it means. So many assume it has to do with the license to act however you like since you're saved. They'd be wrong. Others take great liberty with liberty, and shove that freedom in the faces of others as if it's some sort of badge of honor. They'd also be wrong.
The more I read about this subject, the more I saw how confusing the subject can actually be. I'd heard sermons, read the Scriptures and still, even I wasn't 100% confident that I understood the phrase in the most simplistic way. Then one day I read the preface (what, you mean you don't read the preface in text books???) in a homeschooling textbook that laid it out so clearly. I don't recall the exact wording, but it said that Christian liberty is not the license to live however you like, it's the power to live to please God. BINGO! There it was, in the most easy to understand sentence. I was glad to finally understand it this way.
I've never heard anyone else say it that way. Of course I also live in a cave and don't pay much attention to the world at large so that doesn't mean much. Just recently though, I heard someone speaking of Christian liberty, and they defined it exactly the same way! It was really good to hear that. After a bit of discussion, that person and I decided this would make a great t-shirt. Several rough drafts discarded later, there it is. I'm quite pleased with the way this turned out. If, when you think of freedom, you tend to think in political ideals, take a closer look at the flag on this T. Genuine freedom is defined by the Word, and the way to Freedom is through Christ's finished work on the cross. I hope you enjoy this T as much as I did creating it. And a big thank you to my friend for his help in putting it all together.
The tulip might be might theological flower, but the scent of the Carnation is probably my most favorite flower, ever. Ranked right up there also would be Lily of the Valley and French Lilac (and yes, those are coming very soon, as well).
Carnations remind me of innocence in childhood. When I was a little girl, there was a house a few blocks away from mine that had a flower bed right at the edge of the sidewalk. In that flowerbed were the most fragrant Carnations I've ever smelled. Every day when I'd walk past that house on my way home from school, I'd stop and bend down, to smell them close up. No one ever needed to remind me to stop and smell the roses, I did it every day. And the Carnations, Lilacs, and Japanese Cherry Blossoms, too!
I'm very much looking forward to spring, when the flowers begin to bloom. Until then, I have several floral designs in mind to keep me busy & add to Simply Flora. I hope you enjoy these new additions to the store.
One final note on Christian T-shirts. Someone asked (not of me, but someone else that creates Christian t-shirts) "why do you make those?"
I know that everyone has different tastes, and not all brothers and sisters would ever wear these kinds of shirts. I'm good with that. I also know that some have real issues with what they call "selling the gospel" or making "merchandise" of the faith. I'd have to agree that fleecing the flock is a sinful thing to be doing. Back to the question though of "why do you do this?"
I do it because I like Christian t-shirts, and so do lots and lots of other people. I'm most comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans and if my t-shirt can have something cool or profound on it, then all the better. I do it because when I wear a Christian T in public, people see it while I'm standing at the grocery checkout or the bank, or pumping gas. They do read them. Sometimes they ask "what does that mean?" I do it because I'm a mean, nasty rotten Calvinist and I want 5pointer and tulip and 5 solas t-shirts, and I'm not going to find those at CBD. So, there's a lot of reasons I do it, but the ultimate goal is to glorify the Lord with every Christian graphic I design & give folks a great product in the process.
So, there ya go. That's why. 
