tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89092651480381133602024-03-08T04:39:53.633-06:00Crosswords from Outer Spacepuzzles by Mollie CowgerMolliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-103996002294533172022-02-07T21:43:00.003-06:002022-02-15T16:28:11.128-06:00Puzzle 20: Themeless 18<p>Been busy! But I'll do my best to stick to the first Monday schedule from here on out. We shall see how that goes. Enjoy!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>(<a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1lK2cYF0wNTwzmPeQmGqpaSH1fNxEuhJv" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1cQxOnz_26fz29Qz4J6z4OFTP5bZ9HpB8" target="_blank">pdf</a>)</p><p><br /></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700px" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=ccdc6931&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"> </iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-60569555027874641402021-11-22T13:12:00.003-06:002021-11-22T13:12:33.787-06:00Puzzle 19: Themeless 17<p>Hi, it's been a minute! With apologies for the unscheduled delay, here's a puzzle. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The two longest entries (17-Across and 52-Across) were co-seed entries for this puzzle, and I love their juxtaposition. I hope it brings you joy, too. </p><p>Also, a schedule change - expect to see new puzzles here on the first Monday of the month from here on out!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1uz61l6NALE8k-AjtpY5MIS6RHJYcNGZ8" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1NqhEjatghgRaiAV9NgKinmUxn3Dg08b8" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=4b6a1173&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-82566486767069549482021-09-28T20:57:00.004-05:002021-09-29T02:01:38.180-05:00Puzzle 18: Themeless 16<p>Back today with a 70-word grid!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I skipped the last puzzle semi-unannounced because I just moved back to California from Texas (where I've been since almost exactly the beginning of the pandemic), and I couldn't find the time. That's also why this puzzle is a day late. Whoops, and thanks for bearing with me. </p><p>Two plugs today:</p><p>1) Sign up for the <a href="https://www.boswords.org/" target="_blank">Boswords Fall Themeless League</a>! The league starts next Monday (Oct. 4) and runs for nine weeks, and I'm stoked and humbled to be one of the constructors contributing a puzzle. If you've never done a crossword competition, this is a great way to start- you can choose your difficulty level, it's a flexible time commitment, and, most importantly, the vibes are impeccable. </p><p>2) Donate to Texas abortion funds; get crosswords! Rachel Fabi has revived the "These Puzzles Fund Abortion" pack to support reproductive rights in TX - details are in <a href="https://justgridding.blogspot.com/p/these-puzzles-fund-abortion.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/faBioethics/status/1433776177831948289" target="_blank">this thread</a>, but basically: donate to any TX abortion fund, email the receipt to bafpuzzles(at)gmail, and get the puzzle pack and an entry into a drawing for a custom crossword. Plus, there are new puzzles being released at fundraising benchmarks; last I saw there were 20 donors left until the next puzzle. One of those 20 could be you!</p><p>As always, hope you enjoy.</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1UdRueAgPmnGJBPJ5Q6NHwfnCh-IWIMiA" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1WCNedBltRpIwtGxYEq_Xzoyz2V6LVAS9" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=d123d14a&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-20726747048830879872021-08-30T17:07:00.003-05:002021-09-13T17:18:05.183-05:00Puzzle 17: Themeless 15Happy almost-end-of-summer, here's a crossword!<div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Update: I'll be skipping Sept. 13th as a puzzle-posting day (busy with some real life things); see you back here on the 27th; xoxo.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1noBLwQbrLe6qK9pVbLADSUPiJEQkacKM" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1yPL_EX78331diqa8z0-R9caiLBLYFRw4" target="_blank">pdf</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=0aad7682&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-16452522419882957722021-08-16T20:54:00.004-05:002021-08-16T20:54:53.554-05:00Puzzle 16: Themeless 14<p>Here's a 68-word puzzle, friends!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The breakdown of word lengths in this one is a little bit unusual - there are no words longer than eight letters, but there are sixteen eight-letter words in the grid. (This is the kind of thing I fret about while constructing but frankly don't pay much attention to as a solver). As always, I hope you enjoy it.</p><p>P.S. Have you signed up for <a href="https://bemoresmarter.com/lollapuzzoola-info/" target="_blank">Lollapuzzoola</a> yet? If not, you should! It's this Saturday (8/21). I can't make it this year (sob) but I participated last year; it was the first crossword tournament I ever did; I loved it; the constructor lineup this year is lit; please sign up so I can live vicariously through you. </p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1WALrzthYHtzOiXQiLCO26ZgGy6W1f9pn" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1F9Qhr39c5XpS8SZap3FQmZypqvo_JOme" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=d04e874f&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-21862612082590356122021-08-02T18:41:00.002-05:002021-08-04T15:10:33.483-05:00Puzzle 15: Themeless 13<p>Hello again! So glad to be back - I've missed y'all this past month.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I'm posting today from San Francisco, having finished backpacking the High Sierra Trail with a couple of friends last week (here are some <a href="https://twitter.com/molliecowger/status/1421153760928169986" target="_blank">photos</a>). We got a bit unlucky with weather - the third and fourth photos are both from mornings after significant afternoon/evening storms - but other than that, things went pretty smoothly. And now I'm back here in the fog, on my laptop, making crosswords, just as things are meant to be.</p><p>I hope you enjoy this 72-worder!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=100bEnKXtMQV0ZNLKbni0BsDvqXCN2gGp" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1RF6Nvht-GQWbaKjZqD_gYb_yjK74DLGu" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=905fb1d6&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-45568330098957613542021-07-05T17:28:00.003-05:002021-07-05T22:17:36.019-05:00Puzzle 14: Themeless 12<p>Today's puzzle was built around 39-Across, which I'm quite fond of as a grid-spanner. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I like the quasi-stack of 32-, 39-, and 40-Across, and I think it lends itself to a fun layout connecting into the corners. I hope you enjoy it, too!</p><p>Also, a heads up: I have a busy-ish few weeks ahead, so I most likely won't have a puzzle for you on July 19, but I'll be back with your regularly scheduled programming on August 2. I'll miss you all!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1beHEMxlJr4oFPns6VAJ9j-gnIQTN7SfM" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1CpYUj03eJvyw7pfrEZ_Af7U7WYwpag9F" target="_blank">pdf</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Jb6II0w2afBclcB4boG-3SXgMhdCXlAi" target="_blank">solution</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=7349d586&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-39948517338730537332021-06-21T05:00:00.004-05:002021-06-25T11:53:45.098-05:00Puzzle 13: Themeless 11<p>Happy solstice, happy Juneteenth, here's a puzzle!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1KZQ4o9UGed2nEcwh4jyHxeFaEyA7ZL4_" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1b-1-IF5TkFzUu4dvzQQkfojq4oYb2D25" target="_blank">pdf</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1gKRipx8qSxqVkR7_S0vYR3uRezTvMiqw" target="_blank">solution</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=c4fa5f35&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-77030428861219737122021-06-07T05:00:00.079-05:002021-06-07T11:57:51.192-05:00Puzzle 12: Themeless 10<p>Today's grid has easier and harder clue difficulties - pick your poison!<span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I did this way back for <a href="https://crosswordsfromouterspace.blogspot.com/2021/01/themeless-1.html" target="_blank">Themeless 1</a> with the intent of making it a regular thing, and then I kept not finishing puzzles until late Monday afternoon (oops). But I got this grid done with lots of time to spare, and I figured it had been a good while since we had an easier puzzle, so here we are! The embedded applet is the hard version, but you can use the link below to solve the easier version online if that's your preferred solving mode. </p><p>I'm really pleased with how both versions of the puzzle turned out, and I hope you enjoy whichever one you choose.</p><p>EASY: <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1NIQ9_StKDDQ7cEuaAcIp6HKWH73_MO9c" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1E4tv5ZBiE3mOFJxhWGs3Yg54Dt8oLTTy" target="_blank">pdf</a> / <a href="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=0a17fea5&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" target="_blank">solve online</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1K3K-DmA_WjUPPAlAfPH-3rmtOuVPCHg_" target="_blank">solution</a></p><p>HARD: <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ez1QshJGRXdUg6DEP9uFAi45goAV7j9e" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1P-x5HTt95AXUxxOLu9AAyCd_y9ZPwg4x" target="_blank">pdf</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1d-bjkuYgsI-zaUaD-Z2ihIkJKDzWlLT3" target="_blank">solution</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=c981436e&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-15591951505232717982021-05-24T18:23:00.001-05:002021-05-24T18:23:13.071-05:00Puzzle 11: Themeless 9<p>Here is a puzzle; I hope it brightens your day.</p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1oBaol-mAPzamb9Rjnwd_OfH-UxT8z00V" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1YeKd3EN_Mn8_3rfQ0UEvf89chE2CgC37" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=19e9c90f&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-73299863920331543822021-05-10T14:59:00.003-05:002021-05-12T13:24:27.889-05:00Puzzle 10: Themeless 8<p>A puzzle for you on this dreary Monday - enjoy!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1HmLI0GKareUtWQkrZP9L5N-q6yP_RNsM" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1S9_T2u7S-u0xNufOm4g1-WtRezYRSJci" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=81173391&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-2965629078635233462021-04-26T18:22:00.004-05:002021-04-26T18:22:30.793-05:00Puzzle 9: Themeless 7<p>Today's puzzle is 64 words, which is the lowest I've done so far.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>This post is a bit later than usual, because I didn't finish up until today- I was pretty puzzled out after ACPT this weekend! All the folks I had the joy of (e-)meeting were wonderful (shoutout to table 15), and the puzzles were great, and it was just a delight overall :)</p><p>I'm tickled by the juxtaposition of 20- and 24-Across, which were the seed entries for the grid. Enjoy!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1lTqYBLQR3R3nINITh61tDs1TwafJFFzp" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1nTMSIqQ9eclhg8bp3mVXuX85PHU6XBk5" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=79e198c0&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-188212228787918072021-04-12T10:59:00.003-05:002021-04-12T15:40:28.333-05:00Puzzle 8: Themeless 6<p>Another themeless day!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>First things first: have you donated to the <a href="https://fund.nnaf.org/fundraiser/3196850" target="_blank">Baltimore Abortion Fund</a> yet? A donation of any amount ($20 suggested) will get you a pack of 14 original puzzles by an absolutely star-studded constructor roster, edited by the fantastic <a href="https://twitter.com/faBioethics" target="_blank">Rachel Fabi</a>. So go donate to that if you haven't, and then come back here. </p><p>Okay, you donated and now you're back, excellent. Thank you for doing that! This puzzle began with 18-Down, and because of that I started from the right side rather than the left, which is atypical for me (I'm a work-from-the-northwest-down sort of gal most of the time). I'm curious if the difference is apparent when solving.</p><p>Enjoy!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1qHRdJHmKpH2fOdufyrb556D4sVQJT-vI" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1iniwP7r4WXU24MlUOedcVVZzGNj1Fz29" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=fbb9818e&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-73371469436489738882021-03-29T17:27:00.004-05:002021-04-05T15:00:32.572-05:00Puzzle 7: Themeless 5<p>Hello all- it's a bit late in the day, but it is an other Monday, so here we are! I aimed to finish this last night but was very tired, and it's (unsurprisingly) difficult to write clues while nodding off, so we have an afternoon/evening post today.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>The seed entry for this puzzle (1A) was inspired by a lovely clue in Will Eisenberg's puzzle last week (<a href="https://halfbakedpuzzles.blogspot.com/2021/03/puzzle-24-best-game-you-can-name.html" target="_blank">"The Best Game You Can Name"</a>). (This is also a shameless plug for "The Good Place," which is a Good Show).</p><p>It should be fairly hard, I hope. Enjoy!</p><p>P.S. I made the <a href="https://inkubatorcrosswords.com/puzzles/938/" target="_blank">March 25th Inkubator puzzle</a>! If you're not subscribed, I highly recommend it - you can get started with a <a href="https://inkubatorcrosswords.com/free-trial/" target="_blank">free trial</a> or subscribe outright. You can also <a href="https://inkubatorcrosswords.com/buy-individual-puzzles/" target="_blank">purchase individual puzzles</a> for $1 each.</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1PC7WmlICTU0-ibmtMxikustjqH3M4ajm" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1hZqrR9YN6kHrw63Wr1gzF6weyFkagw0l" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=14e61af4&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-4847709882017978052021-03-15T06:00:00.046-05:002021-03-16T11:42:02.718-05:00Puzzle 6: Themeless 4<p>Today's puzzle is a return to form, by which I mean a hard (EDIT: actually not that hard, it seems!) themeless. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I started this one with the NW corner stack and built it out from there. I hope you have fun with it!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1FTQwNiOGJu1KdTMAPR383DnHXGEG3-KM" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Z81NQE_MuQpVSkgfwbCzHPxRmNm6CKFY" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=d50e5ea7&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-62753952124694153632021-03-01T06:00:00.005-06:002021-03-01T09:58:38.408-06:00Puzzle 5: "Tailspin"<p>Today we go back into themed territory, with a much gentler puzzle than the last few. It's nice, it's easy, and it's a little bit cheeky!</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>You may also notice it's a slightly funky size. I filled a grid for this (twice, actually) as a 15x15, and then I was like, hold on, this clearly wants to be 13 columns. Bump it up to 17 rows and boom, perfect layout, off to the races.</p><p>Big thanks to my friend Gabe for test-solving. I hope you have fun with it!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1CvTG2Pm98E7ZLQMFLvxfNcv_zXGSDaxQ" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1KYnnfwh8jEvzJPsTOtE8qf559xVFzpVO" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=89bdbe48&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-83816100598829586982021-02-15T04:30:00.005-06:002021-02-15T20:56:02.289-06:00Puzzle 4: Themeless 3<p>Another themeless! Is this becoming a themeless-only blog? Probably not, but who can say for sure.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>This one started with 27-Across, followed quickly by 23-Down and 30-Across. The grid feels a bit strange to me since it doesn't have any stacks, which makes it look (to me) like it should have more than 72 words. But it doesn't! It's hardish, and (as always) I hope it's a fun solve. </p><p>Finally, if you haven't already, you should absolutely read Kameron Austin Collins' <a href="https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=2/6/2021" target="_blank">notes</a> from his Feb 6 NYT puzzle. Also, check out the <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/expandedcrosswordnamedatabase/home" target="_blank">Expanded Crossword Name Database</a> that <a href="https://twitter.com/ewojcik" target="_blank">Erica Hsiung Wojcik</a> organized, and submit more names!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1VQnECA6iBwDaYKeUDum4tBB-oxdGMYOq" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1EdB2mfgtmjbvpx_mqWybi79UtdRv3DXR" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=2ca4b4b2&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-15563973589831008552021-02-01T18:52:00.005-06:002021-02-02T11:47:14.022-06:00Puzzle 3: Themeless 2<p>I may have some new readers after yesterday's <a href="https://www.boswords.org/" target="_blank">Boswords</a> stream, where I solved (well, mostly solved!) <a href="http://www.joonpahk.com/blog/2015/08/05/welcome-outside-box-puzzles/" target="_blank">Joon Pahk's</a> phenomenal final puzzle- if that's you, welcome!<span></span></p><a name='more'></a> I mentioned on the stream how much I love the indie puzzle space, so I want to highlight a few of my favorite blogs here:<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.7xwords.com/" target="_blank">7xwords</a> (Malaika Handa) features a new 7x7 grid every day except Mondays, covering all possible grids over the course of the year. A great mix of stuff, with a ton of contributors. Malaika's <a href="https://www.7xwords.com/daily/01/01-13.html" target="_blank">Jan 13 puzzle</a> is a must-see!</li><li><a href="https://qvxwordz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">QVXwordz</a> (Quiara Vasquez) is a fantastic source of tough themelesses. They're funny and satisfying, and I always learn something new. The clue & answer for 36A on the <a href="https://qvxwordz.blogspot.com/2021/01/12-boomers-zoomers-qoomers-themeless-5.html" target="_blank">Jan 27 puzzle</a> might be my favorite of the year so far.</li><li><a href="https://xwordsbyaladee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">xwords by a ladee</a> (Brooke Husic) - Brooke's wordplay/misdirection game is absolute fire, and the aha moments are just lovely (and often hilarious - see her <a href="https://xwordsbyaladee.blogspot.com/2021/01/puzzle-11.html" target="_blank">Jan 30 demi themeless</a> for several examples).</li><li><a href="https://www.happylittlepuzzles.com/" target="_blank">Happy Little Puzzles</a> (Matthew Stock) - Matthew's cluing voice is just great, his range is absolutely wild, and he's constantly dropping new collabs. I truly don't know how he has time to make this many puzzles that are this good. His <a href="https://www.happylittlepuzzles.com/post/puzzle-no-42-themeless-with-pao-roy" target="_blank">Jan 22 themeless</a> with Pao Roy is a recent standout.</li></ul><p>Alright, we do have a puzzle to get to: it's themeless, and it's fairly tough. I'm not sure whether it's harder or easier than the first themeless, so I'm curious to hear what your experience is. Huge thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/xandraladee" target="_blank">Brooke Husic</a> for test-solving this on very short notice. Enjoy!</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=135AJfra4EcJRMyA6d_pSw4cEVsuAqxn3" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1kWVW6uEnUGWRiSvo3fuSx5nqV-__xo9U" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><p><br /></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=02f3ef5d&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1&compact=1&maxCols=2" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-6617769841298162602021-01-18T19:59:00.004-06:002021-02-02T11:46:00.130-06:00Puzzle 2: Themeless 1<div>Hi again! Here's puzzle #2. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've been experimenting recently with using only a single black square shape to create a grid; this puzzle is the first completed one in that little series. (You'll see more of them here down the road!)</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>There are two versions of the clues for this puzzle, in hard and moderate difficulty-- the applet has the hard version, but you can download the puz or pdf in either difficulty. (The idea for doing multiple clue sets was inspired by some of <a href="https://xwordsbyaladee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Brooke Husic's puzzles</a> and also by the <a href="https://www.boswords.org/">Boswords</a> themeless league this past fall -- I dig it because it's good practice for me in tuning difficulty level, and it also adds a choose-your-own-adventure vibe!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks once again to <a href="https://www.happylittlepuzzles.com/">Matthew Stock</a> & my mom for test-solving! </div><div><br /></div><div>hard: <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1M4VM4kFNhjblM23gek_4yplOc3Oqrjiu" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1HnTo-OhdZ95iTKy9J3h-Wd_QYJ1VOJsx" target="_blank">pdf</a></div><div>moderate: <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1f5BoQDLxE17GZQuRKHpLL7ZGUd9Qf1qX" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1m1RdZGk1i9YrMSFNZxNQ1lM3fdV9wzC_" target="_blank">pdf</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=ab0b272a&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1&compact=1&maxCols=2" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909265148038113360.post-81858683724344634932021-01-18T12:50:00.008-06:002021-02-02T11:46:38.483-06:00Puzzle 1: "404 Page Not Found"<p>Hello and welcome! This is a crossword blog by me (<a href="https://twitter.com/molliecowger" target="_blank">Mollie</a>), it's new, I'll have a puzzle up every other Monday, and this is the very first one. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Huge thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/1MatthewStock" target="_blank">Matthew Stock</a> for test-solving (if you're not a regular <a href="https://www.happylittlepuzzles.com/" target="_blank">Happy Little Puzzles</a> solver yet, you should get on that ASAP) and to my mom, both for her feedback on this puzzle and for getting me started solving crosswords over a decade ago(!). </p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1K3cYMjPEoFegniR7GxHiQqjmAIAO-li9" target="_blank">puz</a> / <a href="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1xMy5pot2l3WscLcno7Hc9oysFSZwXH_e" target="_blank">pdf</a></p><div><br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="700" name="a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33" src="https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword?id=281fc535&set=a426872aae4817e84c50962a6675d1b6be25f8944229a14cac66d5c80f7aca33&embed=1&compact=1&maxCols=2" style="border: none; display: block !important; margin: 0 !important; position: static; width: 100% !important;" width="100%"></iframe>Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11067438119527911026noreply@blogger.com6