‘Post My Party’ host offers advice on simplifying DIY crafts

TORONTO – With her musician parents often away from home, Lynzie Kent spent a lot of time during her childhood with her babysitters working on crafts.

In the process, she was laying the groundwork for her future career.

Kent is the Toronto-based creative director of Love by Lynzie Events and Design, which aims to bring a handmade touch to weddings and other shindigs she’s invited to organize.

With the debut of “Post My Party” on Sunday on lifestyle channel Makeful, Kent is sharing her craft expertise with aspiring do-it-yourselfers seeking to host their own events.

The series premiere sees Kent help a mother plan a ballerina-themed party for her daughter, with fluffy tutus and colourful edible treats for the bash.

Kent is hoping “Post My Party” will help dispel the notion that homemade projects are only for the artistically gifted and DIY-inclined. Part of what helps simplify her approach is the use of craft staples commonplace in most kindergarten classrooms, such as construction paper, glue and glitter.

“Instead of making a paper-plate Christmas wreath like we all used to make in school when we were kids, we’re now just looking at those materials in a new way and seeing what new crafts we can make with those materials — and how we can keep it sophisticated.”

Kent puts her own theory into practice with visually striking DIY projects that are easy to assemble. In her office, she proudly displays a project created during filming the series: a pineapple-shaped lampshade pieced together with yellow spoons, green construction paper and glue.

When asked to create a sports-themed item, she transformed old running shoes sourced from a thrift store into planters.

“All we did was spray-paint the shoe a colour of choice, re-lace it, and then plant a jade plant inside the shoe with some soil,” said Kent.

“It’s a little conversation piece. It’s really adorable, it brings some colour into your space and anyone can do this.”

For individuals planning a baby or bridal shower or another themed event, Kent said she’s a big fan of party favours that are either functional or edible, such as cookies, jams, canned tomato sauce or pickled beets. Yet even for those who aren’t crafty in the kitchen, they can still put their skills to use in personalizing gifts for guests.

“If Grandma’s making the jam, that’s great. But how are you presenting the jam? Are you putting some cute fabric over the top? Are you using a ribbon? Are you tying a thank-you tag on it?

“You might have 100 to do, but it’s not that difficult. Anyone can do it.”

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