The hottest cars of 2011

Chevrolet Corvette

When: April 2011
How Much: Rs 50 lakh approx

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette that will be introduced in India will be based on the upgraded model from 2008, where improvements were made to the exterior styling, interior design and engine specifications.

The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette is one of the fastest sports cars around and packs a mammoth 6.2 liter, V8 engine under its hood. The V8 powertrain uses some of the most advanced technologies in an engine that allows it to produce a maximum power of 430 horsepower and impressive 424 Nm torque. The Chevrolet Corvette is mated to a 6-speed manual and also comes with the option of a 6-speed automatic gearbox that does all the work of the driver and in my opinion is the less fun version to drive. There is a dual exhaust system available with the Chevrolet Corvette that gives it an increased power of 436 horsepower as well as improved torque of 428 Nm.

Ford Mondeo

When: April 2011
How Much: Rs 14 lakh onwards

Global Automotive company Ford Motors has decided to re-launch Ford Mondeo which was released in India in 2002. The new Mondeo is looking to compete with the likes of the Accord, Sonata & Camry.

The Mondeo will be packed with a powerful 1999cc, 16 V Duratec engine in petrol with refined sequential Electronic Fuel Injection System that has the competency to offer a spectacular performance on any road condition. It has the calibre to generate the utmost power & torque of 142.7 PS at 6000rpm & 185Nm at 4500rpm respectively.

Nissan NV200

When: May 2011
How Much: Rs 7 lakh onwards

Nissan plans to manufacture the NV200 in a joint venture with defence and commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland.

The Nissan NV200 is built on the modified Renault-Nissan B-Alliance platform and will have the 1.5dCi engine (the same engine block used on the Renault Logan). However, the NV200 will produce more power than the Logan. This MPV could compete with the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo.

Nissan Qashqai

When: May 2011
How Much: Rs 21 lakh onwards

The Nissan Qashqai has seen a lot of makeovers in the recent past and it is now available in both petrol and diesel engine options in overseas market; both have two variants each. The diesel engine range comprises of of 1.5 dCi and 2.0 dCi while the petrol variants are powered by a 1.6 litre and a 2.0 litre engines. One can also get a 4X4 drive top end variant with both the engines. The company had launched a larger seating capacity variant of Nissan Qashqai globally that is christened 'Qashqai+2' and has a 7 seater option while the older version is only a five seater.

Volkswagen Golf

When: May 2011
How Much: Rs 8.5 lakh

There are a good number of engines and trims of the popular Volkswagen Golf world over, but in India the most anticipated variant is Volkswagen Golf GTD. This model of the Golf is powered by a 2.0 litre, TDI powertrain that churns out a top power of 170 hp at 4,200 rpm and a peak torque of 350 Nm between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. The hatchback comes with standard six speed manual transmission while you can opt for an automatic 6 speed gearbox as well. The stylish four wheeler covers 0-100 kmph in 8.1 seconds, you can speed it up to 220 kmph.

Chevrolet Orlando

When: June 2011
How Much: Rs 10 lakh approx

General Motors introduced the Orlando, a concept MPV, at the Paris Motor Show, 2008; the production version of the MPV was showcased at the 2010 Paris Auto Show and reports say that it will commence sales in early 2011. The concept version was a seven seater affair and possessed a crossover like build. The Orlando shares the same platform of Chevrolet Cruze.

If media reports are to be believed, the Chevrolet Orlando is supposed to replace Chevrolet Tavera. After discontinuing the Tavera in most of the BS III cities, there remains a void from Chevrolet side. The Orlando will be competing with the likes of Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo and other India bound mini MPV like Maruti R3, Nissan NV200, Hyundai ic25 and Ford B-Max. This yet-to-be launched Chevrolet MPV would be loaded with a 1.8 litre petrol mill and a 2.0 litre diesel powertrain. The 1.8 litre petrol engine is expected to produce a top power of 141 bhp while the 2.0 litre diesel engine would churn out maximum power of 131 bhp via either a 4 speed automatic, 5 speed or 6 speed automatic gearboxes.

Ford Kuga

When: July 2011
How Much: Rs 16 lakh approx

The Kuga looks bold and intimidating and is marked by sharp lines all through its body. The engine that will make most sense for India will is a 2-litre TDCi engine that breathes through four valves per cylinder and produces a healthy 136PS and 320Nm of turning force. This 4-pot turbo engine sees the Kuga reach 100 clicks in less than 11 seconds while the top whack should be a shade less than 200kmph. The all-wheel drive system will ensure that it is capable enough to handle the rough with aplomb, like the Endeavour. The Kuga could undercut the 20 lakh mark by a fair margin.

Hyundai Genesis

When: Mid-2011
How Much: Rs 35 lakh

Hyundai is all set to bring the Genesis to India. Voted "North American car of the year 2009", "Canadian car of the year", "2009 car of the year award" by china's Autoworld magazine, "top 5 luxury car for 2009" by the U.S. National Autombile Dealers Association, and "2009 ward's best engine award", the Genesis will be a great buy.

The new Hyundai Genesis coupe is expected to offer two engines the base 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder and 3.8L lambda V6 petrol engine, the variant of the car will be equipped with the engine which has a maximum power of 210bhp with a maximum torque of 302Nm.

Nissan Murano

When: Mid-2011
How Much: Rs 35 lakh onwards

The name 'Murano' originates from the region of Venice, Italy which is known for hand blown glass production. The Murano was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2003 and even named the best premium mid-size SUV by AutoPacific. The Murano, when launched, will be one of the most unique crossover designs ever sold in India. The Murano has a powerful 3.5litre V6 engine that produces a potent 245bhp. The car is a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle and is available with all wheel drive as an option. The Murano is the largest vehicle to have a CVT (Continuously variable transmission).

The hottest cars of 2011

Chevrolet Corvette

Ford Mondeo

Nissan NV200

Nissan Qashqai

Volkswagen Golf

Chevrolet Orlando

Ford Kuga

Hyundai Genesis

Nissan Murano

#7: Vegas Spider

Today marks a full month that I've been doing the 365 Days of Creativity project and a full week that I've been exclusively making spiders.

Unlike Vegas, what happens in my craft room doesn't stay in my craft room. In fact, I would love to host a regular craft night with friends to share what we're all working on. I, of course, will endlessly be working on spiders, and this weekend I added to my list with a few more really fun ideas (that you'll have to wait to see). And I'd LOVE to hear any suggestions for spiders that anyone might have.

As for this spider: It was tricky drilling holes in all of these dice with my Dremel, but the final result is so worth it. The red and green with the vintage white plays off spectacularly.

Materials: Dice, bamboo bugle beads, red coral seed beads, glass focal beads, silver wire.

#6: Starry Night Spider

I tried my hand with some Fimo/Sculpey clay and a recently acquired clay mold for the moon face, but it wasn't originally meant for this project. I save all sorts of small objects that I know I'll eventually use for something. Blue and gold are so pretty together, and the hematite stars are maybe far-fetched for spider pincers...but not for this project.

Materials: Clay, hematite star beads, blue glass focal and bugle beads, gold E beads, white glass seed beads, gold wire

#5: Embroidery Spider

Current day. This spider is made with a Clover embroidery needle pendant. The loop for the pendant is at the back of the spider, so it can still hang on a chain. The Clover pendant works as a needle sharpener, so it's handy as both a tool and a place to keep needles.

Materials: Clover embroidery needle sharpener, burgundy glass bugle beads, white glass bugle beads, brown and brass focal beads and spacers

#4: Circuit Spider

For this spider, I worked with the colors and style of the metal locket base (brass, silver, aqua blue). The focal piece of the spider is an Industrial Chic covered tin charm and has space inside for a photo, aromatherapy herbs, maybe even a teeny tiny grocery list. I used gold wire for the body of the spider, which I coiled at the leg tips for an "electric" look. I typically don't care for the combination of gold and silver, but the combo was perfect for this.

Materials: Industrial Chic pendant, twisted silver bugle beads, glass seed beads, metallic blue beads, brass spacers, gold wire

#3: Anubis Spider

My daughters and I have been watching Nickelodeon's new show "House of Anubis" four nights a week, and we love it! Suspense, mystery, an old house, lots of secrets. We can't get enough of it. So I made this Anubis spider, which is inspired by some of the clues and themes from the show: a watchful eye, a key, the sun, and of course, "A" for "Anubis." ("A" is also for "Arachnid," you will note.)

Materials: Rusty key, brass finding, doll eye, copper gear, "A" bead, burgundy glass bugle beads, brass spacers, blue E beads, rusty wire

#2: Lava Spider

Because I started my blog almost a week after starting my spider project, I am playing catch-up. This spider was created on January 26, 2011. I have an array of beads, charms, and pendants. I love the colors in the orange turquoise. Like cooling lava.

Materials: Orange turquoise and black plastic focal bead, glass bugle beads, red and black seed beads

365 Days of Creativity--My Very First Spider

I wanted to start my year exploring one creative thing each day. But because my typical day usually includes something creative anyhow, I thought I'd use the 365 Days of Creativity project (which began, for me, as a challenge from a Facebook friend) to finish many of the projects that I had already started. I quickly began to see--after only 24 days--how daunting a number like 365 really is. I didn't have THAT many projects that needed to be finished. Not only that, but as my husband pointed out, I appeared to be slapping things together just to finish something every day, and that didn't sit well with me. My projects thus far were not simple; they were time intensive and detailed, and I could see the handwriting on the wall. I would not be able to simplify my projects enough without making some pretty big sacrifices in the way of family and work, among other things (i.e., stability of mind).

But last fall I found a tutorial on making beaded spiders and made several as pins that were big hits when I brought them to craft shows and put them on Etsy, but most important, I found them very relaxing to make. I knew that at least one spider would make its way into my 365 Days of Creativity project, and Day 25 was slated to be that day. But then a light bulb went on in my head. My life could be so much easier, and my project would have so much more focus, if I just switched gears and settled on one particular craft--spiders! Suddenly, I could picture my spiders covering a wall...all 365 of them. I could picture them doing things, serving different purposes. Some you would just look at. Some would have themes. Some would be colorful. And every once in a while, when time was on my side, a spider would be extraordinary.

So that's what I'm setting out to do--365 spiders. I hesitate to say that they'll all be beaded. I might change my mind. It's a little nail biting to contemplate 365 different spiders. Spiders made of different fibers, celebrating different holidays, seasons, accomplishments. But I know that if snowflakes can all be different--just as Noah Scalin came up with 365 different skulls (and not just once!)--spiders can be, too.

And so, I give you my very first spider. The project starts with me, and so my first spider must also start with me. A.J.K.--those are my initials. I've always liked that the letters of my initials rhyme, so this first spider has symmetry in that way. The "me" spider is the "here, here" and tinkling of glasses, the grandiose speech that sets off what promises to be something special and great. Let's hope so.