Tag: puzzle

Tough as Nails Themeless #86

~ Stella ~ 3 Comments

I used to keep a list of themeless seeds based on interesting words I wanted to build around. Lately, I’ve been keeping seeds for themelesses more like I do for cryptics: with a clue I want to use, whether or not that word is particularly “sparkly” in and of itself. In this case, that clue was 37A.

After some shipping delays, my book is now almost ready to ship! Please pre-order one if you haven’t already!

Tough as Nails Themeless #86 – Across Lite

Tough as Nails Themeless #86 – PDFDownload
Tough as Nails Themeless #86 – SOLUTIONDownload

Oneth of the Month Mini Cryptic #13

~ Stella ~ 1 Comment

It’s the return of mini cryptics! I decided to stop doing them because there were other outlets for them, but now The Browser has taken a pause on its Sevens puzzles and AVCX is also running them less frequently. At ACPT I was persuaded that we need more gateway drugs, so your dealer is back. This one is inspired by Eurovision!

And although this site is still called Tough as Nails, these minis are easy! If you’re scared of cryptics, minis are a great way to work yourself up to a full-sized puzzle.

Tough as Nails Mini Cryptic #13 – Across Lite

Tough as Nails Mini Cryptic #13 – PDFDownload
Tough as Nails Mini Cryptic #13 – SOLUTIONS AND EXPLANATIONSDownload

Tough as Nails Themeless #84

~ Stella ~ 6 Comments

Wow, what a weekend! It was great to reunite with old friends and meet so many Tough as Nails solvers for the first time at ACPT. It is, although the most fun weekend of my year, also the most stressful. Remember how Doug Hoylman used to be described as the Iceman? I am the opposite of the Iceman. I am the Constantly-About-to-Throw-Up Nervous Wreck.

I did manage to make a trip to the hardware store with my second fifth-place finish in a row and first place in NYC (the latter made easier since Andy Kravis was attending a wedding):

I had the most amazing time and I hope you enjoy this week’s themeless!

Tough as Nails Themeless #84 – Across Lite

Tough as Nails Themeless #84 – PDFDownload
Tough as Nails Themeless #84 – SOLUTIONDownload