Are materials provided?

Yes—paper, adhesives, thread and decorative trims are supplied; you’re welcome to bring personal ephemera.

Do I need prior experience?

No—this workshop is geared to beginners and experienced crafters alike; instructors demonstrate basic stitches and layouts.

Is the workshop suitable for children?

Age recommendations are not specified in the listing; contact the operator for guidance on younger participants and family bookings.

Can I travel with the finished journal?

Yes—use a flat folder or envelope to protect newly glued pages while transporting it in a daypack or luggage.

How accessible is the venue?

Sessions are primarily seated and require fine-motor ability; for specific accessibility needs, check with the booking operator.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation details aren’t provided here—refer to the booking page or contact the operator directly for terms.

Junk Journal Workshop in Winnipeg: Turn Receipts into Handmade Keepsakes

On a chilly afternoon in downtown Winnipeg, the Junk Journal Workshop offers a hands-on pause from the city's riverfront trails. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this two-hour session with Dr. Vanessa Warne of Crafting Communities teaches participants to transform receipts, flyers, stamps and other paper ephemera into durable, artful journals. The class combines basic bookbinding, collage, and Victorian-era paper-craft techniques with modern scrap sensibilities, turning everyday trash into tactile memory-keepers. The space is simple—long communal tables, trays of found papers, vintage ephemera and a spread of adhesives, threads and decorative trims. Key features include demonstrations of simple pamphlet stitch and stab binding, page signatures made from flyers and envelopes, and techniques for stabilizing fragile paper with archival tape. Participants leave with a handmade small-format journal and the skills to continue assembling pages, pockets and tuck-ins at home. Unique to this workshop is Dr. Warne’s material-culture framing: she explains connections between contemporary junk journaling and Victorian practices for repurposing printed scraps, offering cultural context alongside craft. For travelers who’ve spent the morning walking the nearby river trails or exploring The Forks market, this workshop is a low-impact indoor option that still connects you to the city’s history of print and trade. It’s ideal for curious beginners and scrapbook veterans seeking a refresh—no prior bookbinding required. All materials are provided, though bringing a personal collection of tickets, receipts or stamps yields the most meaningful pages. Accessibility is straightforward: sessions last approximately two hours and are primarily seated, requiring only fine-motor dexterity. Class sizes are intentionally modest to allow close instruction. Expect to learn trimming, simple adhesives, thread handling and layout choices that make ephemera readable and durable. The workshop’s approach also models sustainable practices by encouraging reuse and minimizing waste—an easy complement to outdoor ethics of leave-no-trace. Whether you’re chasing northern lights photos, paddling the Red River, or pausing between hikes, this workshop converts small paper remnants into portable stories. It’s a creative pit stop in Winnipeg’s cultural landscape where history, craft and conservation meet at the tabletop—handmade pages that carry the city’s fragments home. Beyond instruction, the workshop functions as a communal exchange: travelers and locals swap stories about markets, canoe routes, and seasonal festivals while passing scissors and ink. The finished journals become compact records of a trip—supplement to photos that fits in a daypack and survives damp mornings better than a phone. For visitors who make space in their itinerary between urban trails and waterfront cafés, this class is a chance to slow, handle material history and learn portable craft that reduces paper waste. Small-group instruction and provided materials make it straightforward to walk in, sit down, and leave with a unique, handmade memento of Winnipeg’s print culture.

About Friends of Dalnavert Museum

Friends of Dalnavert Museum supports programming and public engagement at Dalnavert, a historic Victorian house museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The organization partners with museum staff to present guided tours, themed events, lectures, workshops, and community programs that interpret Victorian domestic life, local Métis history, medical and social histories, and seasonal family activities.

Programs include walking tours of downtown Winnipeg focused on Métis heritage and early 20th-century urban life, small-group Behind the Ropes tours led by the collections registrar, hands-on workshops such as darning classes, and specialized presentations on topics like Victorian drug culture and funeral customs. Friends of Dalnavert Museum emphasizes accessibility and community connection. Offerings include dementia-friendly tours and family-focused holiday programming such as Halloween tea parties and Victorian-themed celebrations.

Public historians, museum professionals, and volunteer supporters contribute to research, interpretation, and delivery, helping ensure content is historically informed and appropriate for diverse audiences. Events vary in length and format; many programs fit 45–60 minutes while special events run longer. As a Winnipeg-based heritage organization, Friends of Dalnavert Museum works within museum best practices to care for collections and to share local stories, including the history of the Red River Métis and the city’s social development. Visitors can expect small-group experiences, docent-led interpretation, and chances to see artifacts not normally on display. Programming aims to educate, preserve regional heritage, and invite community participation in understanding Winnipeg’s past. Membership and volunteer opportunities support ongoing preservation, research, and public accessibility while deepening local connections to Manitoba's cultural heritage and public education.