The day the hills were alive...

Here is my secret for Monday, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using a selection of coloured fineliners and that is really it. I rarely draw things totally from scratch because I am not that good at drawing, so here is a rare insight into how artistically challenged I truly am. I love this secret anyway though, because it is pretty much what everyone wants to say when they break up with someone but what they actually invert. For me it applies to a series of bad relationships...maybe it means the same thing to you, maybe it doesn't apply. Either way, enjoy!

The day I should have woken up earlier...

This is a secret that I had never really given much thought to before I saw it on postsecret today. It is certainly one that rings true for me, I imagine the day I get married to be a huge part of my life and I cannot imagine my father not being there. The likelihood of him dying before I get married is pretty slim, partly because he is absolutely fighting fit and is training for his second marathon at the moment, and also in part because I hope to get married pretty young. Despite this secret being one that will most likely never effect me it stood out to me as one of my greatest fears. Go and visit www.postsecret.blogspot.com today for some inspiration of your own. Enjoy!

The day I thought of her...

My secret for sunday was created by using some bits cut out from various magazines, a silver sequin star and some pens. This secret is one that is really important to me, the person it was written about has already seen it and I am so glad she liked it...so I hope you like it just as much. Maybe go and share it with someone important in your life. I hope you all have a nice sunday and are looking forward to postsecret. Enjoy!

The day I thought of leaves...

It is only a week until term finishes and I am so excited! The day when I finish my last essay will be the most amazing day. I am also really looking forward to the interviews, I hope it will run smoothly and that the applicants aren't too nervous. This secret was created by using some amazing glittery + textured wrapping paper which I bought from the art shop in Oxford - where most of my student loan goes. I hope you like it and at some point you can see it for real (and touch it). Enjoy!

The day it began...

I realise this one is a little bit tricky to read, it says 'I want a tattoo (I am too scared)'. I created this secret by using some henna and a piece of card. The henna is pretty cool, it comes in a little tube and you just draw whatever you want...on skin it goes hard and rubs off to leave a orangey pattern that fades. On card it just dries hard and stay - I think it looks kind of awesome, even if my design is a little bit rubbish. I love discovering new materials to work with, it is easier when I am at home because I have a bit more time on my hands and it is also easier to cover stuff in paint and not worry about it. Anyway, I hope you like it. Enjoy!

The day I caught up...

This is my secret for Thursday, I hope you like this one. It was created by using some black card, brown paper, silver sequin letters and some black sparkly glitter glue. It reminds me of something that I can't quite retrieve from the back of my mind - suggestions on a postcard. This secret is a weirdly confusing one for me because I find myself both alone and completely surrounded by people at the same time - I'm not sure I understand it so it makes sense if you don't either. Enough midnight rambling from me, enjoy!

The day there was frumping...

Here is another of the wonderful birthday secrets I have been slowly uploading for you. I would really like to own a penknife, both my parents have always had them on their keys and I used to be obsessed with playing with the tiny scissors. I know this sounds like a bit of a dangerous hobby for a child but if you knew more about my childhood it would make perfect sense. Anyway, this secret was created by using a picture from a magazine and a pen. It is true that I have most of the things people generally need, I carry an emergency pack around in my handbag with a load of random objects I believe might be useful at some point. Enjoy!

The day I thought of you...

Here is my secret for Wednesday. It is really late, but I don't feel sleepy weirdly. This secret was created by using a piece of card coloured black by a marker pen and then cut away with a craft knife. I layered this over a piece of card underneath and filled in each segment. You can enlarge any secret by clicking on it - that might help if you can't quite read what it says. I hope you like this AI, and as always please feel free to comment. Enjoy!

The day it dried...

This is my secret for Tuesday. I created it by using a gold pen and some fineliners - I drew the circles by hand so they aren't quite perfect which annoys me, hopefully you can't tell. I am posting it a little bit earlier because I am really exhausted from all the travelling etc. It is strange to be back in Oxford, but hopefully the next few weeks won't be too bad. Enjoy!

The day I went back to Oxford...

Here is my secret for Monday, I hope you like this one. I used part of a paper bag from a shop as the background and silver and black pens to write the message on it. The weird thing about making secrets is that once I post them on here they cease to be secrets anymore. It also allows me, in some small way, to let go of each of them. I am heading back to Oxford tomorrow, being at home has been lovely but I suppose it is time to get back to the not so real world of work. Enjoy!

The day I had a cup of tea and watched...

Here is my chosen postsecret from the selection this week. I always try and choose one which I think relates to me in some way and recently it has been quite difficult because so many of them seem to be really specific but I suppose in that they are a little bit more honest. This secret really stood out to be as something that I often think about. Some of my secrets are about feeling guilty about things and sometimes I wonder if I am justified in feeling that way. I am not sure if I totally agree with the message on this secret, but it has certainly made me think. Let me know which postsecret is your favourite. Enjoy!

The day I went shopping...

Here is my secret for today, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using a card which was in the reduced basket. There is something about birds which always draws me in, I don't know if you have noticed but probably quite a few of my designs have birds in them. Unfortunately my scanner has decided that you shouldn't be able to see the eggs in the nest, but trust me they are there. Have a lovely Sunday, enjoy!

The day it rained...

Here is another of my birthday guest secrets for you to see. It is really strange to have someone make secrets about me...because usually all I think about is my own secrets about myself and others and not the secrets other people might have about me. This secrets is especially lovely (I don't think it is true at all) because I love cooking and I also really love cooking for other people - it is often the best gift you can give. Enjoy!

The day I probably didn't see him...

Here is my secret for Saturday. I am at home, and it is blissful - I have missed just about everything that comes with living at home. I spent most of Friday on public transport, in excessively large supermarkets and cooking. The cooking was the best part, that and a pretty weird trip to an indian restaurant. I will hopefully be seeing some friends tomorrow...depending on whether I ever get a response or not. Anyway, a contented goodnight from me. Enjoy!

The day I went home...

I am posting this secret a little bit earlier than usual because I am going home tomorrow morning. I am so looking forward to escaping the Oxford bubble and being able to get some space to think. I am going to visit a couple of friends while in London and at home which will be really great. I am also going to have the longest bath EVER and watch tv...on a real tv and not on my laptop. Best of all, I get to see my cats (pictures below). This secret was created by cutting up a card and using a gold and black pen to do the rest - remember you can enlarge any secret by clicking on it. Enjoy!

The day I picked up my tickets...

Up all night, sleep all day...or not at all sometimes. This is pretty much my life at the moment, luckily I am going home on Friday morning and I cannot wait. This secret was created by using a black marker pen, a silver gel pen and some fineliners. I hope you like it, enjoy!

The day I forgot to eat...

Here is another one of my birthday guest secrets, as promised yesterday. If anyone ever wants to make me a guest AI then you can always leave me a comment and get in touch. I love to see how other people respond to what I have been doing (for almost four months now) when they create their own secrets, it always inspires me to work harder at it. This secret was created by using a crossword grid and some coloured pens, I hope you like it as much as I do (even if I struggle with accepting what it is trying to tell me about myself). Enjoy!

The day I read something...

Here is my secret for Wednesday, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using a picture from the front of the Ashmolean museum guide. I also used a little bit of glitter glue, some blue paper, a gold gel pen and a blue fineliner. This secret is not actually about the Ashmolean, just to eliminate any confusion (although that would make sense too). I think I might have a shower or a bath...for the second time today - I definitely need something to relax me though. Anyway, enjoy!

The day I was awarded...

I have been nominated for a blogger award by the lovely Kelley Anne from http://kaleidoscopicrefrains.blogspot.com/ - go and check out her blog, it is really cool. This is my first ever award and it is quite exciting, and a massive compliment, that someone has decided Amelia Is... is worth a mention: so thank you Kelley Anne.

As you already know a crazy amount of stuff about me I have decided to slightly manipulate the rules and instead list 10 interesting things about my blog:
1. I never imagined it would last this long.
2. I don't actually consider myself to be a person that has very many secrets, or a particularly
interesting life.
3. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be blogging I wouldn't have believed them.
4. I often post at midnight...because I can't wait.
5. I have never made a secret and then not uploaded it.
6. I have only ever deleted a post once...and I was very, very drunk (so don't ask me what it said, because I don't remember).
7. Receiving lovely comments cheers me up more than you probably realise.
8. All of my secrets are real ones, they all mean something to me, but some of them are no
longer true.
9. I hope to continue this for a whole year, maybe even longer...
10. I worry that I won't have enough secrets...or inspiration...or creativity.
I hope those little pieces of information, if not unknown, were at least interesting. The last thing I am meant to do as part of the award is to nominate 10 other blogs. I am pretty new to the whole blogging scene and so I don't actually know that many other bloggers/follow that many blogs. I would, however, quite like to nominate one blog in particular as a real favourite of mine. Granted I am a little bit biased because the blogger is my friend Anna, but I really love the concept behind it and I think it is a really lovely way of documenting a year of her life. So here is the link to her blog, go and take a look (it is very cool, I promise):
http://onceadaypicture.blogspot.com/
Secret and another birthday guest secret to follow, enjoy!

The day I stopped it...

Here is my secret for today, I hope you like it. This secret was created by lining up some pink sequin stars and putting some pearlescent glue in the middle of each one. I then used glitter glue to draw an outline and some sequin letters to write the message. Below is a picture of me after my friends had put henna on me - it looks really cool but it does mean you can't shower for a while. For the rest of today, enjoy!

The day I changed it...

This is my secret for Monday. This secret marks the beginning of my third book (where I display all the secrets I have made so far) - and with the beginning of a new book I must also create a new title. I regret to inform you that I made this one and my limited computer skills mean that it is not nearly as good as the lovely one my friend made for me previously. However, it is up and I hope you like it. This secret was created by using some coloured paper and pens. Enjoy!

The day I continued...

Here is another one of the birthday guest secrets I was given a while ago. I really love these, they are such a nice addition to my usual posts. It was created by using some paper, image from a magazine (I assume) and a black pen. I hope you like it too, enjoy!

The day I thought...

Here is my favourite postsecret from the sunday secrets. I often wonder what my parents could have done had they not given up so much of their life for me and my brother and sister. Lukcily they have both achieved great things for themselves in both personal and professional lives and have always provided for us. I want kids, lots of them and pretty soon, but sometimes I think it could completely hinder any kind of potential I have to be great in other aspects of my life. I wouldn't want to feel as though my children were the reason for having unlocked potential. Then again, I think being a parent is the one area where most of my potential lies. I hope it is as fulfilling a job as I imagine it to be, and I hope I am as good at it as I want to be. It is always nice to know how others engage with these secrets, so let me know. With what is left of the weekend, enjoy!

The day it happened again...

This is my secret for Sunday - postsecret in a few hours! Unlike some of the other secrets, this is one I don't think anyone actually knows...however mundane it is. I created this secret by using some red paper, red glitter glue, a brown fineliner and these really cute little felt deer. Sunday is always a weird day...half way between the weekend and the week and I never quite know what to do with myself. Anyway, I hope you like this secret (sorry about the poor quality of the scanned image). Enjoy!

The day I went back...

Here is my secret for Saturday, I hope you like it. I created this secret by using some black card and a white and silver gel pen. I have finally booked some tickets to come home, so hopefully this feeling might go away soon. I love escaping from the Oxford bubble once in a while and being able to forget about it for a few days. It doesn't happen all that often so to be able to go home for a bit will be amazing. I miss my cats so much! Anyway, I hope you have a happy weekend. Enjoy!

The day I wandered around...

Morning all. I have actually had some half decent sleep for the first time in a few days. I also have a weird day where I don't need to do an awful lot...so I am going to visit a museum. This secret was created by using a really lovely postcard and a fineliner. Anyway, I am off to go and buy some tickets home. Enjoy!

The day I slept...

Here is another of my birthday guest secrets for you to admire. It fits pretty well with my secret for today. Thank you to the lovely person who made it. Enjoy!

The day I wrote some more...

The essays never seem to go away. After it is finished I am going to book some tickets home! that is definitely an incentive to work hard...along with sleep. I created this AI by using some super cool tea pot stickers from paperchase, coloured paper and a brown fineliner. I hope you like this secret. I will hopefully speak to you tomorrow - perhaps refreshed and energised. Enjoy!

The day it was over...

Oh I am so tired and overworked. Fifth week blues are really kicking in for me, and I can't wait to go home...in fact, I think I might book some tickets soon. This secret was, very simply, created by using a fantastic postcard and a black biro. The image makes me really happy, partly because I can imagine being that old lady and also partly because I like the idea that somewhere in the world a photographer and an old lady got together to make this photo. I hope it cheers all of you up as much as it has cheered me up tonight. Until tomorrow, enjoy!

The day I wrote it...

So here is my secret for Tuesday, I hope you like it. I created this secret by using a gold pen, some pieces of old wrapping paper and a black marker pen. This wrapping paper was kept in my room for ages and holds quite a lot of memories for me - it actually felt quite good cutting it up though. In other exciting news: my visitor counter is on 1234 (this massively appeals to my organised/ordered/neurotic side). I am one of the most stubborn people so I am sure this secret will be a small victory for most of my friends who know that side of me. I won't ever admit this again, so...enjoy!

The day I remembered...

So, for the next few weeks (every couple of days) I am going to be posting a series of guest secrets given to me as part of a birthday present a while ago. Each secret was hidden around my room for me to find, all 20 of them. This is the first of many to follow, and it was created by using some stickers and a black pen. It was such a lovely gift to receive and completely what I needed at the time. Look forward to more of these to come, enjoy!

The day I shouldn't have...

Here is my secret for Monday. I created this AI by using a variety of coloured pens and a ruler. As always, I hope you like this secret - it is one that means a lot to me and probably something we can all relate to. Next step is showing them this...enjoy!

The day I sorted it out...

Morning all. Isn't Sunday just a miserable day? not only is it raining outside but I know I have to get back to the serious stuff tomorrow. Anyway, this secret was chosen from the Sunday secrets on http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/. The top picture is the front of the secret and the second picture is the back of it. I particularly liked the message on the front of the secret because all too often I give up on things in my life that are hard or require too much effort. Hopefully looking at this secret all week on my laptop will encourage me to push harder to achieve things that aren't always easy. The back of the secret is something I am probably guilty of, particularly with AI. I have shown most of my friends my blog now, and they all seem to love it, but often I am concerned with whether strangers who stumble across it like it too. Maybe we are all guilty of worrying what others think, but maybe it should be those we care about. Enough from me, enjoy!

The day I hosted...

This is my secret for Sunday. Postsecret tomorrow - so exciting! I created this AI by using some very pretty wrapping paper and a gold pen. This is a really short post because I am so tired. I promise I will write something more interesting tomorrow. Until then, enjoy!

The day I watched...

Here is my secret for today, I hope you like this one. I created this secret by using a black marker pen, a black fineliner, a red fineliner and some paper. I am going to go and read some books now - hopefully they won't be too boring. I also have a special message below for my friend Edward. Enjoy!

The day it started...

Oh sleep, how I have missed you. I went to bed pretty early last night (well...early for me) with a hot water bottle - it was so nice. As a result I feel very relaxed today and actually pretty keen to get some work done. I can, however, hear some rather upsetting noises coming from the bedroom above me (eew). This secret was created by using some cut outs from various (celebrity) magazines and some pearlescent glue. Have a wonderful friday and don't forget to...enjoy!

The day I found it...

Guess what I found? that's right...a guest secret which someone gave me a while ago. I tidied up my room (which was shamefully messy) and found this nestled in with some other guest secrets I have. This secret was created by using some paper, a black pen and some red paint (I think). I really love this secret because it communicates the idea that people are never really who you think they are. I think people who know me and read AI are often surprised to find things out that they didn't know were true. Thank you to the person who made this secret for me, I think it is brilliant....and I think you are brilliant too. Enjoy!

The day it improved...

I hope I get some sleep soon...or at least in the not too distant future. This secret is being posted as a way of distrating me from scary essay writing. It was created by using some yellow paper, an old photo (of my mother and her three older sisters) and a brown pen. I hope you like this secret as much as I do, it might be an all time favorite..who knows? Anyway, 3000 words here I come. Enjoy!

The day I stressed...

Oh my god...I really just want to stay in bed and forget about the world. Last night was so much fun, I organised a dinner in honour of CJF (an alumnus of Hertford). It was a really great evening but I really don't feel like doing any work. Anyway, this secret was created by using a gold marker pen, some star sequins and some little letter sequins which I bought from the art shop and which I think are going to be insanely useful for me (I hate my handwriting). I hope you are having a good day, enjoy!

The day I lied...

Morning all. I am stressing today, work is totally getting on top of me and because I had to give the whole weekend up to interviews. This secret was created by using some glitter glue, sequins and, as always, a fineliner. I hope you like it. Welcome to any new readers of AI who have been directed here by MJ, it is nice to hear such lovely comments about something I am really proud of. Time for a shower now, enjoy!

The day I turned things around...

Here is my secret for Monday, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using nail varnish and letter stencils. Unfortunately you can't really tell but the background is a pretty pearly/pink colour. I am going to be super stressed this week - so much work...argh. I have made a few secrets in advance which is a great thing in terms of saving time each evening. I have also just realised that the new book I bought in which to display secrets is a little bit too small for the ones that are portrait. I might be popping to the art shop tomorrow. Anyway, blah to Monday mornings...I hope yours isn't too bad. Oh and have a look for a very sweet post about AI on http://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com/ coming soon apparently. Enjoy!

The day it finished...

These are my favourite postsecrets from the Sunday secrets today - go visit www.postsecret.blogspot.com to decide for yourself. I think the selection is particularly good this week. The first secret really stood out to me as something which could be interpreted in many different ways - I can certainly apply it to many different things in my own life. I think communication is such a key to good friendship so this secret has reminded me to maybe make some of those calls that I have promised to and forgotten about. The second secret is the one I have chosen to display as my background for the next week. Aside from being really beautiful I think this secret expresses something which most people find it difficult to explain. Although I don't know what I believe in most of the time I often think there is a much greater picture that we all miss out on by being so focused on ourselves sometimes. The world we live in is an amazing place, so hopefully this secret will remind me to see the magic in everyday situations. Enjoy!

The day I made decisions...

Here is my secret for Sunday, I hope you like it. I created this secret by using a variety of different pens, a ruler and a steady hand. You can't really see it but some of the strips are glittery too which is pretty cool. You must wonder how many pens I own...it is a lot basically (maybe I will show you my collection of craft things at some point). Anyway, I have more interviews tomorrow and then a lengthy X Factor style elimination process. I am a couple of pages away from starting my new book - which is both great and a little bit scary. Postsecret tomorrow, might have to be in the afternoon if I don't have enough time. Goodnight and as always, enjoy!