Junk Journal and Yap goes to Madeira Portugal!
There’s something powerful about creating in a new place.
This May, Junk Journal & Yap is heading to Funchal, Madeira for two special in-person workshops, and this moment feels deeply meaningful to me.
What began as a small journaling gathering has grown into a creative community centered around storytelling, paper, and the simple joy of sitting around a table full of scraps. Now, for the first time, JJY is bringing that experience to the island.
These will be our first creative activations in Madeira, and each one offers a slightly different way to experience junk journaling.
Creative Lunch & Junk Journaling
Makan Madeira
Saturday, May 9, 2026
We’re starting with something a little special.
This first gathering will take place at Makan Madeira, a Singaporean restaurant in one of Funchal’s charming neighborhoods. Instead of a traditional workshop setting, this event is designed as a creative lunch experience.
We’ll gather around the table, enjoy a relaxed meal, and spend the afternoon journaling together.
During the session, I’ll guide everyone through creating a journal spread inspired by travel, memory, and everyday moments. Think of it as creativity over lunch, a slow, social experience where conversation and creativity flow naturally.
What’s Included
Each guest receives:
• A 60-page A5 starter journal
• An exclusive JJY workshop sticker pack
• A curated scrap pack with mixed ephemera
• Access to shared tools (stamps, inks, glue, and more)
• Guided journaling prompts and techniques
• Singaporean lunch at Makan Madeira (spring rolls and your choice of noodles OR fried rice)
You’ll leave with finished pages, new inspiration, and a fresh creative rhythm.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Location: Makan Madeira, Funchal
Investment: €30 per seat
Seats are limited
Intro to Junk Journaling: A Paper Reset
Madeira Friends Workshop
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Our second gathering will take place at Madeira Friends Hub, and this one is designed as a foundational introduction to junk journaling.
If you’ve ever been curious about scrap-based journaling but didn’t know where to begin, this workshop is your starting point.
Together we’ll explore the core techniques that make junk journaling so unique, layering papers, tearing pages, combining textures, and using scraps to tell a story.
This session is a little more structured, making it perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to deepen their creative practice.
During the Workshop We’ll Create
A Foundations Spread
Learning layering, composition, and storytelling through scraps.
A “My Story” Spread
A guided introduction to yourself and your creative journey.
What’s Included
Each guest receives:
• A 60-page A5 starter journal
• An exclusive workshop sticker pack
• A curated scrap pack with mixed ephemera
• Access to shared tools (stamps, inks, glue, and more)
• Guided instruction for two completed spreads
• Tips for continuing your junk journaling practice
You’ll leave with finished pages, new techniques, and a renewed creative rhythm.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Location: Madeira Friends Hub, Funchal
Investment: €15 per seat
Spots are limited
Reserve your seat at:
👉 www.MadeiraFriends.org
Why Madeira?
Madeira is very close to my heart. My in-laws are from the island, and we visit often. It’s also one of the ways I’m introducing my son to his Portuguese roots.
Bringing Junk Journal & Yap here feels like a full-circle moment.
What started as a small group of people journaling together has grown into something bigger: a creative community rooted in storytelling, texture, and connection.
Madeira is one of the first stops in our expanding international activations, alongside upcoming gatherings in Canada and the Philippines.
These workshops are part of a bigger vision: building slow, tactile spaces for creativity around the world.
If you’re in Madeira, or know someone who is, this is your invitation. Locals & travelers welcome.
Let’s layer.
Let’s tear.
Let’s tell stories through scraps.
See you at the table.
Abby
Founder, Junk Journal & Yap