It’s Wednesday! Happy solving!
Author: Stella
Bonus puzzle!
This puzzle, entitled “Sing It With Me: They’re Our Friends,” was inspired by my deep, deep disgust for that guy in the White House and, in particular, the stupidity of imposing tariffs ON OUR FRIENDS. Life is better with Mexican avocados, Spanish ham, and a whole lot of other things. I suppose it would have made more sense to make a puzzle specifically about consumer goods from [SPOILER REDACTED], but instead you get pop music.
I hope you find a little joy in this puzzle amid the chaos.
(Edited to add: There are two cross-reference clues that say “Across” but should say “Down” — apologies, it’s easier to note that here than to redo all the files)
Themeless #136
At least once a year I think I should put some ACPT-related content in the puzzle that goes up closest to ACPT, and every year I don’t do it in time. This year is no exception. Please enjoy this crossword that has nothing to do with ACPT other than that it is a crossword, and ACPT involves doing crosswords.
Send good vibes! A gal wants to make the finals.
Bonus puzzle: “Wrapped in Fabric”
I’ve had this theme rejected enough times to stop trying, but I still think it’s a pretty cool idea so I’m posting the puzzle here. For those who continue to come here for a Tough as Nails experience: This puzzle is NOT particularly hard. You’ve been warned!
Themeless #135
This one has more black squares than is typical for a themeless. Let me know if you care about such things!
Themeless #134
The seed of this puzzle might not be what you think it is, since it’s a mid-length entry (27A, to be exact).
Themeless #133
I don’t often put the seed of my puzzles at 1A, but I did this time. Have fun!
Themeless #132
The seed for this puzzle is a reminder to you all of my listening habits. Have fun!
Themeless #131
For the folks who replied to my last post with “but I come here for hard puzzles!” — I have no plans to stop making hard themelesses and publishing them here every other week. The only thing that has changed is how I describe myself as a puzzlemaker.
As you may have noticed, the themelesses are offered free of charge. I do that because I like making them, and I know that the market for hard themelesses is not large enough that, were I to charge money for these puzzles, I would make enough to justify the extra work I’d have to put in for a paying audience (i.e., putting the puzzles through a test-solving and editing process).
But I now make a large part of my living making puzzles. In time, my goal is for puzzles and trivia to be the majority of my living, if not all of it. To do that, I need to sell easy puzzles. Which is something I’m good at making, and I enjoy making! Hence the rebrand.
So: Here is a hard puzzle that no longer bears the name “Tough as Nails.” Hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to Inteltainment!
After five years, Tough as Nails is no longer the name of my website. Instead, today I’m introducing Inteltainment!
Five years ago when I started Tough as Nails, it was because what I wanted to see more of in the world was more hard puzzles, and more puzzles by women. Both of those things are still true; what has changed is that now I’m a woman who makes puzzles for a living. (!!!!) And most people who are interested in paying money to someone to make a crossword puzzle or trivia want something that’s a lot easier than that to make the challenge more accessible and reach a broader audience.
Which is great! I may not be interested in solving more easy puzzles than I do already, but I sure do love making them. Want me to make one for you? Hire me!
Crosswords and Trivia by Stella Zawistowski 