When someone sends me an Ask Karen question I answer it with the lightening speed of a sloth eating a brick of saltwater taffy.
So when Leslie sent me a message last winter about how to open a bag that's sewn closed with string ... I got to work. I got to work cleaning the fridge, and brushing my cats, and making a house of cards out of Oreo cookies and avoiding any sort of organized exercise program.
I also taught myself to do origami out of homemade fruit leather.
After I'd exhausted all methods of avoidance, I set my mind to figuring out exactly how to open a bag that's sewn closed with string at the top. Because who hasn't been completely frustrated staring down at a bag of potatoes KNOWING if you just pull the right string ... it'll open like magic.
So I dressed myself in a suit made of cabbage leaves, went to the grocery store, crouched down low, and practiced on all of their potato bags. With my clever camouflage I remained inconspicuous for more than 3 minutes.
Then I got kicked out of the grocery store.
After months of research, vandalism and fridge cleaning ... I figured it out.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
This video is for you Leslie. I would like to extend an early "You're Welcome".
~ karen
How to Open a Bag
How to open a bag that's closed with string (like a potato sack). It's easier than you think.
I cannot overstate this Leslie ... you're welcome.
Mary
That's exactly how I do it. And I actually lol'd for real! Thanks for a good start to my day.
Gina
Ha, I just go directly to your second method for the same reason.
Lisa
You are a hoot & it works for me! Just FYI though, sometimes on the bottom of the sewn bags is a thick paper binding along edge that has the same stitching running down the middle of it, however when you "simply" pull that string magic happens & it comes right off. Not all bags have this nifty option but it's a dream when they do. Love your videos!
Nancy Blue Moon
You are right Lisa..That kind of bag is very easy to open..My cat food has this and it opens in a zip!! Why can't they sew them all this way??
Leslie
Oh Karen!
Thank you VERY MUCH! That is hilarious! I've been watching for this post for months.
You've made my day! My week actually!
Still laughing!
Leslie
Jamiek
Scissors - Y-E-S!!!
SuzyMcQ
Your nails look great. Also enjoyed the occasional cackle in the background.
Sally
The whole time I'm watching this, I wanted to scream with frustration, because of course, it should have worked. I'm yelling, "just get the scissors!", and then of course..... What a great laugh! Thanks for sharing, as usual.
Erin
Hey, if at first you don't succeed, hack at it with scissors...
Jules
hahaha! I was so curious in the beginning thinking this would be a revelation on how to open them..your approach is perfect..
Tina
OH thank you. My first big laugh of the day and it very much appreciated! LOL
Mary Kay
LMFAO - Great start to my day!!
marsha gaspari
bahahahahahahaha Bloody brilliant.
Erica Filpi
Karen thank you for the laugh.
Cindy Marlow
Yet another Karen video that totally ruins my mascara. I need to read your blog BEFORE I do my makeup!
Karen Anderson
HIlarious! That is EXACTLY how I opened the last bag of birdseed that I bought..only with a bit more swearing and finally stabbing it, Psycho shower scene style, with the closest thing I could grab--gardening clippers. Opened perfectly.
Tricia Rose
Oh Karen, I got all excited! thinking you had the answer! (guess you do...)
Jamieson
Now I see where your chickens inherited their graceful moves in "will they eat it?"
(PS It's early and I'm still in bed next to my sleeping husband, so I had to watch the video in silence. It adds a certain frantic 'je ne sais quoi'.)
Mary
So-o-o funny! Great way to start my early day. This always happens to me, too.
Laura Bee
Hahaha! I had this skill when I was 12 & we had chickens. I lost it over the years & now have to use this method on my potato bags.
Rhonda "SmartyPants"
Wow--I stopped watching reruns of "Greg the Bunny" just to see this post. Your build up increased my anticipation so much I actually put off my nightly snack of raw cookie dough that I always eat while reading the latest "Art of Doing Stuff" blog. Man, what a let down. I totally expected a flaming can of lighter fluid, a hacksaw, or at least a bandaged finger (we all know about your tendency to self-harming posts). What I do love, Karen, is the color of your nail polish -- ooh, la, la. Pray tell, what is the color named?
Actually, thank you, thank you very much. If you had been successful, you would have been forced to address the absurdity of what happens on the off chance one should actually find the frickin' right string to pull: 'Now what do I do with this stupid piece of string?'
You rock, as always!
Karen
Hi Rhonda - It's Rimmel - Stiletto Red. ~ karen!
Rhonda "SmartyPants"
I love you -- Rimmel, same brand I use. Isn't it great to get such great colors for such a wee price? Thank you, thank you again. I'll be flashing my Stiletto Red nails before nightfall.