7xwords, take 1

Malaika Handa’s magnificent 7xwords project will, over the course of 2021, feature a puzzle for every possible 7x7 grid (following standard rules). It’s a great project, and lots of fabulous constructors are contributing, and last week it was finally my turn! Mine was, uh, a little tricky, but I hope you liked it. Anyway, I thought I’d follow Will’s example and share another grid I’d devised for my shape. (I think I made about four or five grids before settling on the one to submit?) Enjoy!

When lions cross (ft. Brooke Husic)

I was in the studio laying down the tracks for this new puzzle and it was tight, but I knew it needed that something something to push it over the edge, so I called up Brooke and was like “wanna do a guest verse?” and she was like “I’m in” and before I know it she’s rolling up in this limo with her usual entourage and she glides into the booth and starts dropping her smooth fill and her funky clues, BAM BAM BAM, all in one take, and when she’s done I’m like “daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang” but before I get the word out she’s already back in the limo heading off to her next gig. LEGEND.

Severe phenomenon

Hello hello! I hope you enjoy the puzzle. This one is not pretending to be an easy one. Thanks to Brooke Husic and Christopher Adams for test driving this one; both gave excellent feedback, and the puzzle is a little less obnoxious thanks to them — well, and a little more obnoxious — OK, let’s say it’s more obnoxious in good ways, you know? Let’s hope so. Enjoy!

Weed stock

A nice 11x11 for you on this fine day. Thanks to Will for test driving it, who says it’s one of my easier ones. Phew. I will learn how to make an easy puzzle someday. Anyway, enjoy this (and then go do some of Will’s puzzles).