Molten Chocolate Mugs

Today is a very important celebration at my house - My daughter Megan's 20th birthday! I think we'll celebrate with Molten Chocolate Cake! When Megan started Kindergarten, I started publishing my quilt patterns, and in the past 15 years, I've published 17 books and over 40 patterns. Whew - I didn't realize it has been so long! I love designing quilts and I seem to always have new ideas brewing.

Today as you hop around our Cross Country Christmas blog hop everyone will share stories about gifts and gift giving.

Pat has started a flicker account for you to share pictures of your blog hop projects. I can't wait to see what everyone is making! Go here to upload your photos and see the photo gallery.

I like to make a stash of quick little gifts to have on hand during the holidays. Whether I need a quick hostess gift, or a thank you for a teacher, my hairdresser, or even the mailman - I can grab one and go! Our project today is a "Molten Chocolate Cake Mug" which is a gooey chocolate cake that bakes right in the mug! You'll make a super simple bag and fill it with the dry ingredients for the cake. Tuck a tag with the baking instructions into the mug and then add some decorations if you'd like.

Leave me a comment and let me know who you'll be giving Molten Chocolate Mugs to this holiday season - one lucky person will win a collection of my favorite books and patterns! Upload a photo of your finished project to the flicker album - I bet you'll get really creative with these!

Let's Get Started

Materials:

Bag: two contrasting prints - 9" x 10" each

Tie: 1/2 yd. rick rack/ribbon or a 2" x 20" fabric strip

Mug: 12 oz. or larger microwave safe mug (I have found $1 mugs at the dollar store and Goodwill, and WalMart has mugs for $2.49)

Sugar, Cocoa, and Flour

Cardstock and ribbon trim for the tag

Sewing Instructions:

 

A. Stitch the the 9" x 10" rectangles together along the long edge using a 1/2" seam. (shown above) Press the seam open.

B. Fold the Step A unit in half lengthwise, wrong side out. Stitch a 1/4" seam to make a long tube. Press seam open.  Terry's Tip: To avoid creasing the bag, let one edge of the bag extend over the edge of the ironing board.

C. Fold the lining over the focus fabric and press the top edge as shown. NOTE: The lining should be on the outside!

D. Adjust the bag so the seam is centered, and stitch a 1/4" seam across the bag bottom. 

E. Turn the bag right side out and tack the center of the tie to the back of the bag, 2" below the top. Put the Step F baggie inside and tie a bow.  

F. Cake Mix: Measure 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons flour, and 2 Tablespoons cocoa into a small baggie. Shake it up to mix the ingredients.

  
G. Tag: Print the PDF file below onto cardstock or paper. Cut a tag out and glue it to coordinating cardstock. Trim the edge with a rotary cutter or decorative scissors. Punch a hole at the top and attach a ribbon if desired. Tuck the tag and a candy cane into the mug. 

Download Molten cake tags

 

H. Optional fabric ties: Press the 2" x 21" strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Open it and press both edges in to meet at the center crease. Refold the center crease and press again. Topstitch close to the long edges.

For Four Mugs

Prints: two fat quarters (18" x 21") or eight 10" x 10" layer cake squares

Ties:  2 yards of ribbon or one fat quarter (18" x 21")

Terry's Tip: If you enjoyed making these, you'll enjoy making a "Best Press Bag" as a special gift for your quilting friends!

Comments

[weekend relax]

merci weekend

[weekend last minute]

great stuff...thanks

[pannelli solari]

I just finished stitching up two of the little bags for the Molten Chocolate Mugs and they were so simple!!

[traslochi uffici]

Thank you Terry for such a cute and easy item, I can see many of these in my near future.

[pannelli solari aria prezzi]

What a great gift idea. Thanks!

[acido ialuronico iniezioni]

What a nice idea for a gift and what a cute little shop bag.

[cavitazione]

I am really , really excited about this one.I will be make lot's for gift giving. Thank you so much!

[CNA Classes Online]

Thanks for this tutorial.

I did some for my CNA classes online mates reunion, hope they like it.

[saldi estivi 2011]

thanks for your great post

[Loans for Self Employed]

Just done this for my daughter. Thanks for sharing.

[Come Dimagrire in una Settimana]

I'm terrible at DIY but thanks to your post I now have the perfect gift for my BF. Thanks so much!

[arredamenti moderni]

great idea for Mother's Day

[assicurazioni moto]

Oh Megan is so lucky to have a Mom like you! I will try to make some too for my bff birthday!

[Florist Sydney]

Looks really lovely :) a gift bag in a mug? fantastic idea. This can also be used for any occasions, even for wedding giveaways as well as for kids birthday parties.

[pretty silk bouquets]

I love your work, it's pretty good gift idea. Thanks for posting the tutorial. This is a fun stuff to be made with kids around, they'll sure gonna love it.

[rshafer]

YES! I am so doing this this year as I have been given so many mugs I won't have to buy any.

[Mugs]

I'm already a star.Thanks to you.. I've already tried and was successful with few of them. Simple and elegant gift.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dolxfld6uQE Gonna use this for my son's birthday bash next week.

[Terry]

I usually use a lightweight cotton batting in my table runners!

[Anne]

I love Terry Atkinson Designs, I have several and made almost each one. I am currently working on the Happy HOliday Table topper. I was wondering if that needed to have batting when layering. I did not see that item on the fabric and tool list. Have a great day.

[Personalized Chocolate Gifts]

What was it again? Good thing you have included a step-by-step guide. :-)

[gift to the Philippines]

Thanks for guiding me through this gonna be a perfect gift.I find it good entries that would walk me through. Great post.

zaijan

[philippines gift]

Wow! sooo cute i like it,very pretty. Keep posting!

vee

[Kate]

Looks as if I've missed Christmas. These will make great small Valentines day gifts!

[D Spack]

Come see my MUG!:) Thank You!

[Kim B.]

I've been making these today for my kids to give their Godparents for Christmas. The only festive-ish fabric I have is red with white polka dots, so the lining and outside are the same. But since I already had the fabric, ric rac, and ingredients, all this gift is costing me is 90 cents for a plain white mug from Target! Hard to beat that price!!

[JB]

I Love this project. I am making one for my roommates and co-workers. One thing I changed though was I added a drawstring to the bag instead of a ribbon. Thanks for the great ideas

[Lizzie Swinney]

wow, what a cute idea. I just printed out this pattern and plan on giving one to everyone at the table at xmas. in-laws, out-laws, the works. I think it will be fun! thank you! Lizzie

[Peggy]

Thank you very much for participating in the blog hop. loved it.

[Sharon]

Thanks for the great gift idea.

[Brenda]

Triple crap. Lost two here, so will save my coffee cup and food in a jar story for later. I think I have to go make myself a cup of molten chocolate. I don't have any ice cream, but I do have cream so I can make whipped cream. And I'm copying this darn comment before I try to post it.

Thanks Terry, tho, for the idea and the great sounding recipe. Much better chocolate than the milk chocolate chips I've been resolrting to every time I've lost a comment.

[Brenda]

Double crap. I lost another comment. But I'm on the books at least (I hope with this one) and may share my food in a jar and coffee cup story later.

B.

[Cindy]

Going through all the designers' blog one more time to prioritize projects - there are such wonderful ones that it's hard to decided which one is first.

[Jenice]

I'm giving this as a gift to my neighbors. Thank you for the great idea.

[Mary C]

Just in case I didn't post a comment on here for the project day. There are so many to go through them all would take longer than just adding a comment. Thanks again for your project. When the plan goes to "C" the bags will be quick to make. Maybe re-purpose some for goodie bags for the grandkids.

[Paulette Doyle]

I'm totally loving this idea! Well done!
Paulette

[Linda D]

Playing catch up here! I have 3 of your bags waiting for the chocolate mix & a mug!! Great gifts... thanks for sharing at Rosebud's retreat last weekend as well!

[Barb C]

I'm not sure I posted my comment on the right day for your project, so here's another one. Thanks so much! Merry Christmas Barb C

[Patchwitch]

This is an amaizing idea! I think I have to make some for this Christmas! Thanks for sharing! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Advent!

[Janet Blackwell-Fidler]

How fun to think of a way to share a chocolate favorite.
thanks,
Janet

[Ange Moore]

What a fabulous idea - I've been stuck for ideas for my kids childcarers for Christmas and this might be the perfect inspiration!! Thanks so much for sharing.

[arlette]

Love the pattern, thank you for sharing!

[Alda, FL]

Thank you for the pattern and recipes what a fantastic idea.
Alda,Fl

[Chus]

Me gusta, seguro que esta navidad Los Reyes Magos dejan una alguno de mis amigos alguna taza parecida
Inscribo tu blog entre mis favoritos para ver los interesantes trabajos que realices.

Un saludo

I like it (él, ella, usted), seguro de que esta navidad los reyes magos de dejar algunos taza similar a alguien de mis amigos me inscribirá (Registro) entre tu blog (entre) mis favoritos para ver las obras interesantes que te das cuenta.

Un saludo

[Valeria]

Wonderful idea! I'll give these mugs to my collegues at work!!
Wonderful!
Valeria

[Jane McCarthy]

Thanks for the 12 days of Christmas! I know I posted before, but can't find my comment! The choc. cake in a mug is just too cute---definitely going in my Christmas file!

[Deb]

I love your project idea!

[Karen M]

I found some of the cutest Christmas Snoopy mugs today at ShopKo. I can't wait to get started on these for gifts. I have vacation time next week so I will be a busy sewer. Who needs turkey. Thanks again for the pattern and all the 12 days of Christmas fun.
Karen M

[Glenda]

I will be making a lot of these for Christmas gifts for friends and co-workers.

[Sandi]

So cute, and it looks as easy as all of your patterns usually are. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[Sandi]

I loved making these and found they were so quick and easy that I want to make more now. I've said it before but just want to say again...thank you for sharing!!

[stampinwithbeth]

Thanks for the mug recipe and pattern, and for being a part of the Blog Hop! It's been fun!
Beth (stampinwithbeth)

[lisa]

I am sure I posted this, but I didn't see my name. (then again I gave up searching rather quickly!) I am so excited about this project. I am sending some friends Hot Cocoa Cones (got the idea on line somewhere) but wanted to include something for my friends and notjust for the kids, this is PERFECT for that! Thank you!

[Mary Burn]

I think I will make some of these for my quilting friends. Great gifts! Thanks.

[Pat]

Sooooo cute! Thanks for sharing.

[SuzK]

This is a great project and will solve a lot of problems with the "I just need something small" concerns. Thank you for sharing this.

[Paulette Doyle]

I love this gift! Thanks for sharing!
Paulette

[Tricia T]

Oh, I love this idea! I'm going to make some of these for my nieces and nephews!! Thanks for sharing!

[Maggie]

What a great idea! You can get great Christmas mugs at the thrift stores this time of year, making it even more economical!

[Marianne]

This is so cute I had to come back and look again!

[Shirl]

This is such a great project! So good for any time of the year, but especially nice at the Christmas season because it is fast. Thanks.

[Paula W.]

I tried the recipe and boy is that a good chocolate cake! I will be making several of these for Christmas gifts. Thanks.

[Patti]

Wicked cute & wicked tasty! Thank you!!!

[Christie]

Terry: I just wanted to pop back in again and thank you for participating in this CCCQD blog hop. What a great advent to the upcoming Advent season. And, what a wonderful way to meet so many wonderful designers and get to know them. And you all gave us early Christmas presents - your free patterns! Your free pattern is so yummy! THANKS A BUNCH!!!! Happy Holidays HUGS...and stitches

[nicolette]

Thanks for the 12 days of Christmas posts. I enjoyed reading about all the Christmas projects and fun. Thanks for the lovely gift idea!

[Donna Rae]

What A great Holiday Gift. What is better then a big cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter night? NaDa,
I love all your patterns and have quite a few. But this is the first time I have checked out your blog. Glad you are in this little Hop!
Donna Rae

[Kelly Kreft]

Thank you for the patterns! They look like they will be quick gifts to make. Quilty Hugs

[Janet Kopecky]

What a sweet little idea! Thank you.

[sayda sanchez bonett]

HOLA TERRY, NO ENCUENTRO MI COMENTARIO, VUELVO A ESCRIBIR PARA DAR LA GRACIAS POR TAN ESPECIAL DISEÑO.
UN ABRAZO DESDE COLOMBIA,
SAYDA

[Linda J]

How clever of you, Terry! I love that lime green tree of yours and the quilt next to it as well. Maybe once the kids leave home you can get away with actually using it?

In fact I thoroughly enjoy your designs, period! Cheese and Crackers is the quilt currently on my bed with plans to cut a Daisy Chain out to sew between the holidays. Plus I have made 5 Tagalong totes this year---and counting!

[Kim B.]

This is such a fantastic idea!!!! Thanks for the instructions. This is a perfect teacher gift!

[Mandy]

I'm just making sure that I commented on everyone's project blog for the draw... I thought I had but I think I forgot some of the security words and they all didn't get posted :(

So if I'm a double please ignore this entry!

[Nicole]

This is a terrific idea for gifts for the gals at the office! Thanks!

[Sally Keathley]

What a cute idea! I love the rick-rack ties. The cake may not make it out of our house though. Thank you

[Margaret]

Love the project -- thank you!

[Sharon]

What a great gift idea. Thanks!

[Sandi]

I just finished stitching up two of the little bags for the Molten Chocolate Mugs and they were soooo easy!! I'll take photos tomorrow. I am going to make more of these. I'll need to get more mugs now! Thanks for this great gift idea!

[Sarah from Create Studio]

Fabulous idea! I'm going to have to test it out for myself before I give it as a gift... well, that's my excuse anyway! Can't wait to try it! Thanks for the creative idea! I'll be linking.

-Sarah from Create Studio
www.createstudio.blogspot.com

[Laura]

What a great project! Thanks for sharing!

[Kelli Kramer]

I love the little bag...very cute...

[Edna]

Love this idea!! Thanks so much for sharing!

[Susan Pletcher]

My girls are coming tomorrow and we WILL be making these! May do more testing the cakes than actual sewing, of course :) What a great 'small gift'. Thanks so much

[Sandy McCause]

Yummo and what a great concept. Thanks for sharing!

[Sandi]

I don't think I left a comment on your project!! I read it the morning you posted but wasn't feeling well because of an ear infection and thought...I'll come back later and print it out...... Now tonight I want to start your little project and realized I never came back to print it out. Doing so right now! Thank you so much! I bought mugs at Michael's that will be perfect for your little project. :-)

[Barb]

I believe I have several friends on my list that would enjoy your cute idea. First up would be Sheree, followed closely be Shelly. Thanks for the idea, pattern and recipe!

[Blogless me]

I already commented here but the comment doe not want to show up - arh! Life is really hard these days - not only do we have to make gifts, we should also try out recipes for cakes ;-).
I hope I have more luck with posting this time around. Thanks for the pattern!

[Blogless me]

Well, I shall have to bear the burden of trying yet another cake! Life is really hard these days ;-). Thanks for the great idea!

[Amy]

Terry - thank you for such a cute and easy project - I can see many of these in my future!

[Penny Fraley]

These little gift bags are darling. Thanks for the pattern

[Jane]

I had to give this a test run before I gifted it. Yummy, yum,yum! I took these with me to a craft gathering of my sisters on Saturday. They were a big hit. Thanks for sharing. :D

[Martina]

What a great gift idea. I will do some of these. It just looks so lovely. Thank you so much!

[Joanne]

I love the cake in a cup idea. Molten Lava Cake sounds wonderful. Can't wait to try it.

[Penny Hoops]

My kids are going to make this for their grandmas for christmas!

Thank you for sharing!
Penny Hoops

[Annette]

What a fabulous gift idea. Definitely adding it to my list. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Nancy B]

Love the gift idea! Really cute!

[Susan Ikin]

great gift idea, but wish we had cold Christmas's. thanks for sharing

[eamylove]

These would be great teachers' gifts! (I wish I were a teacher!)

[Anna]

What a nice idea for a gift and what a cute little bag- I am sure they are a big hit with whomever receives them.
Thanks for sharing the pattern.
Warmest regards,
Anna

[marisa]

I just found your blog and this idea is perfect for all the teacher gifts I need to make! Thanks!

[K Brown]

What a great gift idea...and yummy, too! You girls are beyond creative and your creations will come in very handy this holiday season. Thank you so much!

[Cheryl K]

I am really - really - really excited about this one.I will be make lot's for gift giving. Thank you so much!