The day we discussed...

This is my chosen postsecret from the selection this week - go and check them out at www.postsecret.blogspot.com. There is a really cute video of a couple getting engaged at a postsecret event, so romantic. I think life is made up of loads of tiny little decisions that shape the path you end up following. There are so many moments in my life where I was faced with two choices and I followed the wrong path. I don't regret these moments, they make you stronger, they shape the person you become. I do, however, feel ashamed when I look back and realise what I would have been able to do for someone else had I chosen the right path. I guess you just have to learn from these experiences and hope that in the future you make the right choice. Which secret was your favourite? Enjoy!

The day I booked them...

I cannot believe it is Sunday already, this weekend really has flown by. This AI was created by using a blue marker pen, some little bits cut out from a magazine and copper coloured glue. There is something about the combination of blues and copper that is just so beautiful. The background is actually a lot darker in reality but my scanner is a bit mental. As promised I have posted a photo of my fancy dress outfit (below) - unfortunately my friends have been rubbish and not put their pictures up on facebook yet. So in this photo you can't get the full effect of the costume (several pairs of socks sewn onto the front of my dress that looked rather questionable). Oh and if I look miserable it is probably because I look crazy when I smile. I will try and get a better photo that does the outfit justice at some point soon. Enjoy!

The day everyone was blogging...

Oh last night was fun, and my outfit was so ridiculous - I will put a photo up of the caterpillar costume as soon as one appears. This secret was created by using some silver glue, stars and pink glitter glue. I am going to the theatre tonight with some friends so that should be fun and I might book some tickets home this afternoon for a couple of weeks time. I love going home during term, it releases you from the Oxford bubble and everything feels normal again. Plus I get to see my cats who I miss so much when I am here. Hope you have a great weekend, enjoy!

The day it failed...

This is my secret for Friday - I am so glad this week is almost over. I created this AI by using red paper, images from various magazines and some coloured glue. I am going out to celebrate my friend Anna turning 20 and the dress code is: childhood. So I am going to dress up as the hungry caterpillar (just the best book ever - and that is coming from an English student). I am so excited about my costume and the first thing I plan to do once my legs are attached is just to flail around for a while. I will show you a photo in the next few days - providing I don't look too far gone. Have a great Friday, enjoy!

The day of the pink wafer biscuits...

Here is my secret for Thursday (eek it is Thursday already, this week has gone so quickly). I created this AI by cutting up pictures from magazines and using some gold sequin letters to write out my message. I really love the colour combinations in this, for some reason it seems to evoke memories of holidays abroad when I was 12 - I love how certain sounds/smells/sights can bring you back to something that happened years ago. I think this has to be one of my favourite secrets - it also covers a very real issue I am struggling with at the moment. Thank you to everyone who has decided to get involved with my 200th secret post and create their own secret for me, still plenty of time if you also want to get involved - you have until friday of next week. Enjoy!

The day it worked...

This is my secret for Wednesday. I will hopefully be super busy all day with work and other equally important but more exciting things...or just work. Bleurgh, I will have to wear something pretty to cheer myself up - or buy something pretty (an even better idea). I created this secret by using some letters cut out from a very wordy advert, a black pen and a steady hand. Hope you have a better day than I do - oh and remember, if you want to make a secret for my 200th post then all you need to do is comment me and we can figure out the details. Enjoy!

The day I failed...

This is my secret for Tuesday, I hope you like this one. It was created by using a really quite beautiful postcard, I believe the design is William Morris and I bought it about three years ago in the V & A (one of my favourite places). The letters are stickers bought from the amazing art shop I discovered at home. Keep letting me know if you would like to create your own secret for my 200th post and just comment me for more details. Have a great day, enjoy!

The day I almost made things better...

This is my secret for Monday, I hope you like it. I created this secret by cutting out a whole load of little circles from magazines. It took forever but it looks kind of beautiful even with all the clashes and contrasts. I have said before that making secrets has sort of evolved into a day to day therapy session for me, and this is definitely true of how I feel at the moment. When things get difficult or I am upset by something then I make a secret about it and often I feel much better. How do you deal with the hard stuff in your life? I have an idea for my 200th secret post that I would like to collect and post the secrets of other people, so comment below if you would like to get involved and I can give you information about where to send it to etc. Enjoy!

The day I chose...

This is my chosen postsecret from the selection this week at www.postsecret.blogspot.com. There were not that many secrets that I felt applied to me directly so I chose one that I feel like I can relate to on some level. Which postsecret is your favourite from this week? I often find that making secrets can bring me closure on something that has been bothering me for a long time, as far as 4 or 5 years ago. I like to believe that each of these secrets acts as an ending to a story which was left open. I guess it really does work like this because some of the issues that have bothered me no longer do, and I look back on old secrets and they are no longer a secret that is true to me anymore. I love that about this process, that it is evolving and it gives me hope that it can continue for a long time. I am not quite sure what I would do without AI, it is like therapy for me and I can't imagine it coming to a close anytime soon as each day invites new issues into my life. Let me know what you felt when you read this secret, because each can hold a different secret to a different person. Enjoy!

The day I accepted it...

So I have been given an award, which is always the biggest compliment. To receive an award from someone who has a blog that you so admire is a really fantastic feeling. This award came from the lovely Shibby from http://shibbysthoughts.blogspot.com/ which is a blog I really enjoy reading. As there are no rules for this award I thought I might instead tell you the story of how AI came to be as I don't think I have ever really gone into it before.

This blog really began because of a close friend of mine. She has this amazing blog where she takes a photo each day for a year, it is an idea she started on her birthday last year and one that is coming to a close pretty soon. The blog is really for her own personal enjoyment and I had long admired the dedication it took and the enjoyment she got out of it. I have always been really into art and I guess pairing images with words was inevitable considering I study English. Postsecret (http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/) has long been an inspiration of mine, I have all of the books that Frank Warren has published and I read it religiously. So one day soon after we received our mod results from our first year at Oxford I had a really long conversation with my friend Anna. I think it was an important conversation for both of us, a chance to evaluate everything and gain better perspective on where we were in our lives. AmeliaIs... was born out of that conversation. Of course, like many blogs the initial few weeks were rocky and there were several times I almost stopped - I think it would have been desperately sad to look back on 10 secrets and see the potential for what it could have been. I persisted with it and as I included more of my friends and family in it the blog grew into a sharing experience. Now I share it with people I don't know and there is something deeply rewarding about the comments you receive from fellow bloggers, people who have little or no obligation to like AI but do anyway. Thank you to all those people - fellow bloggers, friends, family - who make my enjoyment of creating secrets infinitely greater than it would be alone.

Now to pass on the award. I am really quite rubbish at following rules, so to stick within that tradition I am only going to nominate one blogger. Not because there aren't a million and one fantastic blogs out there, but because I think this one (new on the scene) blogger deserves it...and a little bit because he is my lovely friend, but mostly because of the blog. So I am passing the award on to Pete's new blog http://nobleartofexpression.blogspot.com/. This is a really cool blog that I really love to read, so check it out.

Sorry for the long post. Have a great Sunday, enjoy!

The day I did it again...

This is my secret for Sunday - favourite postsecret to follow. I created this secret by using a gold marker pen, some gold and silver stars and different coloured glues. I guess this secret doesn't just apply to one person but to everyone who follows the blog, people who comment, my friends and my family. Sometimes I struggle with believing that people will actually want to read this because why would my life be interesting to someone else? but viewing it from an outside perspective I would love to read the secrets of someone else. I have for a long time been asking friends to produce guest secrets for me if they want to and many have obliged. If anyone who reads this would like to make a guest secret (it can be anonymous) for me then just comment below and we can figure it out. Enjoy!

The day things were moved...

This is my secret for Saturday. It was created by using some amazing gold butterfly stickers which I stuck onto patterned cuttings from magazines, I finished the secret with some gold letter stickers. For once my scanner has not completely screwed with the image and it actually almost looks better than it does in reality. Hopefully I can get some more done tomorrow than I did today. Enjoy!

The day I was ill...

Here is my secret for Friday, I hope you like this one. I used some purple paper and some very cool foam letters. I am still really ill and it is horrible to not be able to do anything. You know when you are tired and stressed and you think wouldn't it be great to be ill at home and be able to do nothing? well it is not great, because you are actually ill. I hope you are having a better day than I am, enjoy!

The day I wanted to change...

Here is my secret for Thursday - I can't believe this week has gone by so quickly. I created this AI by using some wrapping paper and rub-on letter transfers. I spent some time last night making secrets because I realise I have been a little bit rubbish recently and I need to keep on top of things. I hope you have a great day, enjoy!

The day I almost missed it...

So I realise that this secret is a) a little bit late... and b) a little bit unclear. I have had food poisoning over the past few days so I am still recovering from feeling pretty unwell. If you can't read this secret it says: 'Even though it hurts I always come back'. This secret was created by using some sequin letters and sequin stars cut into squares - it is much clearer in reality but the scanner seems to be slightly temperamental when it comes to reflective things. Thank you for all the comments from Tuesday, it is really nice to know that people think I should continue with the blog as it is. If, however, you do ever want to know the story behind a secret or my reasoning for certain designs then please do ask as I am always happy to answer these things. I hope the week is going well for you, enjoy!

The day my ear stopped working...

This is my secret for Tuesday, I hope you like it. I am not sure how much of a secret this one really is for some of you - in fact, if you know me even at all it is probably pretty obvious. The feeling behind it is something I rarely discuss with people though. I feel like I am stuck in this weird position half way between being a real adult with responsibilities and commitments and being a child with no cares or worries, does anyone out there relate to this feeling? I created this secret by using some rub-on transfers that I bought (reduced) recently from the art shop in oxford, I am sure they have been missing my weekly dispensing of money in their shop. I feel as though the time has come (in approach to my 200th secret and almost two thirds of a year of blogging) when I should reflect on my blog and the posts I write each day. Are there any aspects you particularly like/dislike? anything you would like to see more/less of? or anything which is completely missing for you? I generally refrain from explaining the meaning behind most of my secrets, is this something you would like me to do or not? Any aspects of the project you would like me to explain? Let me know what you think about it, positive and negative comments welcome - I would like to improve it and make it a more enjoyable read for everyone who allows a little bit of time each day to visit AI. Have a great day and I look forward to reading any responses, enjoy!

The day I needed to figure it out...

So I really don't need any distractions tomorrow - blog included unfortunately. I am uploading this a little bit earlier because of that reason. This secret was created by using a postcard I have been keeping for a while and some pens. For a long time I have really wanted to get a tattoo and not many people really know this but I have also decided upon a design. I would really like to get a tattoo of a bird/birds across my wrist. I don't know if I would come to regret it or if I would absolutely love it. I feel like I need to do something huge in my life once I have done a year of secrets - maybe getting the tattoo I have always wanted is that huge decision. Maybe not. What is your opinion on it? Have a not too stressful Monday, enjoy!

The day I was confused...

Term is about to really get into full swing and that always makes me quite nervous. I am going to do some work today to hopefully make things a little bit less stressful in the few days to come. This secret was created by using some letter stamps and coloured glue. I am seriously lacking in creative inspiration - I feel completely drained and this secret sort of reflects that. I need to push myself this term and hopefully it will yield some better results. Enjoy!

The day I met my son...

Here is my favourite secret from postsecret this week. I know a lot of my posts recently have been about finding love or being in/out of love. It seems weird that at such a young age my mind is so populated by thoughts of meeting someone to settle down with but that really is how I think most of the time. Although this secret doesn't apply to anyone in my life at the moment I hope one day it will apply to someone. Is there someone in your life that is so special you would wait for them? I hope so. Have a great Sunday and keep checking back for my secret later. Enjoy!

The day I visited the prison...

Here is my secret for Saturday, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using some really beautiful hand printed paper that I bought from an art shop at home. It is hard to see on here but the design is really pretty and I love the imperfections in the printing process - it makes it all the more interesting. I am sure this is a secret other people can relate to, is it your secret too? There have been relationships in my life where I have put everything into it and still felt that it wasn't enough for the other person...and it really is heartbreaking. Sometimes you just have to give up on people and sometimes it is too hard to let them go. I am not sure I can make that decision just yet so I decided to make a secret about it instead. I am going out to dinner tonight with my parents which will be really lovely and as I haven't really been eating properly it will be a good chance to catch up. Have a lovely Saturday and look forward to postsecret tomorrow, enjoy!

The day I didn't have collections...

I am being a bit rubbish in terms of blogging - this is my secret for Friday. I need to sort a load of stuff out and my parents are coming to stay in a hotel in Oxford tomorrow so I am not sure how much time I will have. I created this secret by using various different pens and circular objects with some silver letter stickers to write the secret. Thank you for the kind comments you have been leaving recently, I really appreciate them. I hope you like this secret, and can relate to it, just as much. Enjoy!

The day I finished it all...

I am sorry for not blogging yesterday - this project is a secret a day after all. However, I went into work panic mode and spent all day writing and stressing out but eventually I finished everything I had to. So here is my secret for Thursday, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using some bits cut out from magazines, a black marker pen and a gold gel pen. I really think this might be one of my favourites too, what do you think? Have a great day, enjoy!

The day it started again...

This is my secret for Wednesday. I have loads of stuff to do today but it is so cold outside and so warm in my bed I just can't quite summon the effort to do anything. This secret was created by using some shiny green sweet wrappers, a hole puncher, some green metallic glue and some sequin letters. I hope you are having a more productive day than I am. Enjoy!

The day I went blonde...

This secret was created by using an amazing silhouette cut out by some crazy man in Menorca years and years ago. I love this, it reminds me of amazing holidays and sunny summer days. It is so nice to finally have a use for it that can actually show off how beautiful it is - I wish I was as talented as him. The writing is letter transfers (again) - they are my new discovery and although it is time consuming I think they look really great. So...tomorrow I go back to Oxford for another term of hard work and hopefully enjoyable times. I am really looking forward to it but I also feel, as with the start of each new term, that I could do with another month or so at home. I feel very lucky that home is as much of an enjoyable place for me as university is - I think that is probably quite unusual. Tomorrow is also the day I actually do what I have been planning and putting off for months and months - I am going to dye my hair blonde, eeek. I hope it doesn't look completely tragic, maybe I will upload a picture for you lucky people. Needless to say it is going to be a pretty busy Tuesday (I still need to pack!). I hope your day is less stressful, enjoy!

The day I worked...

Here is my secret for today, I hope you like this one. It was created by using some marker pens and letter transfers (I am never going to get bored of them). I am working today for an old friend as she has just moved her premises and needs to call all her clients. I haven't seen her for ages so hopefully it will be a really fun day and we can have a good catch up. Hope you had a great weekend, enjoy!

The day I went shopping for boots...

Here are my favourite postsecrets from today - go and choose your own at http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/. The first secret is actually pretty similar to one of my AIs (I'd rather be a housewife) and so it immediately appealed to me. There are a few things I know I want to do: be a mother, be a housewife and be a teacher. Sometimes the domestic bliss of having a kids, a husband and a house seems like a welcome escape from the hard work and stress that comes with a degree. The second secret applies so closely to my blog that I simply had to choose it. I feel that the process of creating art to display me secrets on is deeply cathartic, I view it like therapy (but free, of course). Every secret I release into the blogging world is a real secret and means something to me. To get the responses I do from fellow bloggers and friends is another amazing part of the process for me and to know that people share my secrets is extremely rewarding. Have a relaxing Sunday, enjoy!

The day I realised...

A strange secret and one, I guess, you can only appreciate if you have been through the weird and lengthy process of an Oxford application. I never thought I would get in, if truth be told I kind of applied as a bit of a joke. My mum told me to go for it because she thought it would be interesting to find out what the whole system is like so I went for it and then when I got my acceptance letter I didn't really know what to think. Are there similar things in your life that have so strongly determined where you are now? and do you wonder where you would be if they hadn't happened? I think about it with surprising frequency. This particular secret was created by using a blue pen and some amazing blue glitter glue. Have a great day, enjoy!

Here is my secret for Saturday, I hope you like it. This secret was created by using some of the very cool wrapping paper I saved from my Grandfather's Christmas presents (a box of truffles and a box of after eights...he gave my 16 year old brother a flask with an attached over the shoulder strap). The snow seems to be slowly going which means I get my car back but it does mean I might actually have to go back to uni at some point....and pack, eugh. Enjoy!

The day I worried...

So here is my secret for tomorrow, it was created by using some coloured paper and letter transfers - I hope you like it. I am not sure what I have planned for tomorrow, it is too snowy to go anywhere despite desperately wanting to go shopping. Even if I did venture out the house what is the likelihood that many shops will be open? My mum freaks out everytime I approach my car so it is probably safer for everyone if I am stay in - that does give me time to do some more sewing though. I don't have much time now before I go back to Oxford which is pretty scary. What do you have planned for tomorrow? snow permitting, of course. Enjoy!

The day I sewed...

This is a very appropriate secret right now as I have been watching loads of 'Gilmore Girls'. I have been sewing this evening on my new machine making some hairbands. School is cancelled tomorrow for the kids I look after and their au pair is stranded in Hungary so I am going to be spending all day with them again. This secret was created by using a photo of the lovely Alexis Bledel and some copper coloured metallic glue. Have another nice day in the snow, enjoy!

The day it snowed...

IT IS SNOWING! A couple of week ago when it snowed and everyone was so excited I was still in Oxford and there was no snow. It happened to be the day I was leaving so I eagerly anticipated coming home and enjoying the snow there. We passed snowy tree after snowy tree on the motorway and then when we got back home there was no snow. It seems that the two places I spend my time were outside the snow bubble which engulfed the country - NOT NOW. It is snowing and I am so excited. Rant over, this secret was created by using a photo, some letter transfers and a silver glue pen. Anyway, I hope you like it and I hope you have fun in the snow. Enjoy!

The day I made magnets...

I am sure everyone does this a little bit. I get it from my mother, she is constantly telling very unfunny jokes which she finds hilarious - she often misses the punchline too. This secret was created by using some coloured paper and letter stickers (don't judge me but I stole them from a child). I have had the longest day (8am - 6pm) looking after two children that I have babysat since I was about 13. We get on really well and we watched 'The Witches' which is one of my all time favourite children's films. All in all I have had a really great day but I am exhausted. I am going to watch 'Jonathan Creek' (the best tv show ever made) with my brother and my sister now. Enjoy!

The day my head hurt...

This is my secret for Monday. It was created by using a board marker pen and some silver glue. I have a load of stuff to do tomorrow (stuff that I should have done today) so I will be pretty busy. Have a great day tomorrow. Enjoy!

The day things changed...

This is my chosen postsecret from the selection today. The drawing is so beautiful and the message stood out to me as something I spend a lot of time considering. There are many people in my life who I love more than I could try to explain. More often than not I don't go around telling these people that I love them, it is an unspoken bond and I prefer it to stay that way. Is this something you can relate to too? I am not sure if it is just me and my emotionally stunted mind that refrains from telling people that I love them, but I would hate for the word to lose meaning. Let me know which postsecret is your favourite from today. Enjoy!

The day you went back...

Don't you just love this paper? It is another example of my grandfather's kitsch wrapping paper.- that is right, I saved it all and there is more to come. I used the new letter stamps my mum bought me for Christmas and some ink to print the words. I hope you like this one, enjoy!

The day I answered questions...

This is my secret for today - hope you like it. It was created by using some tissue paper, rub on silver letters (cool right?) and some beautiful floral letter stickers which were part of my haul at the art shop. Postsecret tomorrow which will be amazing I am sure. For now though, enjoy!

The day I slept it off...

Happy New Year! I can't believe it has beeen a whole 10 years since the millennium. Last night was really fun and involved lots of drinking and eating. This secret was created by using part of a box that my Christmas present came in. The pattern is so pretty, isn't it? I think I am going to sleep for the rest of the day because I had about 3 hours sleep last night. Have a great day and don't forget to...enjoy!