Places

Today's puzzle is about places.  Kind of self explanatory.  Maybe you are on vacation and visiting one of these locations.  That would be cool.

Enjoy ...

Places published on 07/31/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

No Blocks

Today's puzzle is very unique.  There are only ACROSS clues. no DOWN clues.  Each accross clue is made up of three words, however each word intersects with another word.  If you like this type of puzzle, send me an email or post a reply to the blog entry.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

No Blocks published on 07/30/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Hidden Beatle

Today's puzzle features one of the Beatles.  The Beatles were one of my favorite groups growing up.  I have several Beatle puzzles that I have published.  Click here for one of those.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Hidden Beatle published on 07/29/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Three Puns

This puzzle has three silly THEME phrases.  You may groan when you solve them.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Three Puns published on 07/28/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Thirsty

This was a fun puzzle for me.  As the title suggests, the theme words may make you thirsty.  I used a different technique this time when I constructed the puzzle.  Hope you like it.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Thirsty published on 07/27/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

About Me

Click this link to find out how I got started creating crosswords.  You may have already viewed this information. 

Check out the PAGE links on the left side of the Blog for a lot more information about Dave's Crosswords, including how you can have a personalized crossword made for you or a friend.

I also create crosswords for businesses who want to increase web traffic and sales.

So, check out the site and send me an email with questions or suggestions.

Hidden Theme

I'm sure you can tell based on the title of today's puzzle, that this puzzle has a hidden theme.  After you solve the puzzle, see if you can figure it out.  If you think you know the answer, send me an email.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Hidden Theme published on 07/25/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Christmas Music

Today's puzzle is one of those Christmas in July puzzles.  It's not to early to start thinking of gifts.  Check out my Personalized Puzzle gift ideas.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Christmas Music published on 07/24/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

S Plus

Today's puzzle is one of those silly ones.  As you figure out each of the THEME words (18A, 20A, 26A, 42A, 51A, and 55A) you will see the puzzle technique I used.  Most of the THEME words are not exactly real words.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

S Plus published on 07/23/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.



If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Guys

Today's puzzle has a hidden theme. Once you solve the puzzle, check out the last three letters from each of the four long words. You might say, "Oh man".

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Guys at the End published on 07/22/2010)

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Musicians

Today's puzzle is about musicians.  There are groups featured, lyrics, and some indivdual artist.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Bands published on 07/21/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Bible Crossword Puzzles

Click HERE for my current list of Bible Puzzles. 

One cool thing about the 21x21 Bible puzzles is that you do not need access to a Bible to solve the puzzle. Most clues have a '?' symbol to the right of the clue. Clicking the '?' symbol will take the solver to a page where the Bible verse can be read to find the answer. I also tried to include an alternative clue for each word that is a common everyday word. Example, for the answer SLEEPER, I have this clue:

Train car or person who needs awoken in Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)

Note: There is also a PDF version of the puzzle that can be displayed by clicking the PDF link.

A Lot Happening

Today's puzzle is about action. It is a remake of an older puzzle with fresher clues.

Just a note, if you would like to print  the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google  Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

A Lot Happening published on 07/19/2010)

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

To a Certain Decree

Today's puzzle is about certain 'decrees'. It is a remake of an older puzzle with fresher clues.

Just a note, if you would like to print  the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google  Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

To a Certain Decree on 07/18/2010)

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

New Puzzle

Today's puzzle has a hidden theme.  Once you solve the puzzle, check out the last three letters from each of the four long words.  You might say, "Oh man".

Just a note, if you would like to print  the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google  Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Guys at the End published on  07/17/2010

Click here to see the  list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If  you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Adios

Today's puzzle is about saying goodbye.  Once you get the answers to the 3 long words, you will see the theme.


Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Adios published on 07/16/2010)

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Directions

Today's puzzle is about following directions, well, not really.  Once you get the answers to the 2 long words, you will see the theme.

I think my fans will enjoy this puzzle. It has some words that are not found in a puzzle very often and I tried to make the clues a little challenging.

Just a note, if you would like to print the puzzle to solve 'off-line', just click the PDF link near the Google Ads at the bottom left of the screen.

Enjoy ...

Directions published on 07/15/2010)

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Getting Punny

One of my favorite Crossword Puzzle techniques is using puns when giving clues to the crossword answers.  For example: Capital of Delaware?  - the answer is Dee (for the letter D)

Whenever I publish a 'punny' puzzle, I always get a lot of positive feedback from the BestCrossword community of solvers.  Below was one of my popular puzzles:

Tons of Puns published on 11/06/2006

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend who enjoys the hobby of crossword puzzles, send me an email.

Old World Puzzle

The puzzle listed below is a remake of a previously published puzzle, just with fresher clues.

I hope you enjoy the puzzle.

Old World published on 07/13/2010)

Note: This puzzle can be printed by clicking the PDF link.

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to the Best Crosswords site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Today's Puzzle

The puzzle listed below is a remake of a previously published puzzle, just with fresher clues.

I hope you enjoy the puzzle.

Opposites published on 07/12/2010)

Note: This puzzle can be printed by clicking the PDF link.

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to the Best Crosswords site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Gone Fishing

A lot of people enjoy fishing. They find it relaxing. Most people that fish don't even care if they catch anything. They just like to escape the stresses of daily living.

People who like to solve crosswords also find it to be a relaxing hobby. Some puzzles can take hours to solve. But once the final answer is entered, there is a feeling of accomplishment.

Enjoy this puzzle about fishing.

Gone Fishing published on 5/27/2006

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend who enjoys the hobby of crossword puzzles, send me an email.

Promotion Puzzle

Sometimes I create a puzzle to annouce a new feature to my website.  When I wanted to let people know that I create personalized puzzles to give as gifts, I created the following puzzle:

Another Shameless Promotion published on 5/10/2008

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a holiday themed puzzle for a family get together, send me an email.

Training Ground

The puzzle listed below is one of my newer puzzles.   It uses a technique where the crossword constructor uses the same CLUE for all the 'theme' words.  A puzzles theme is usually found in the long words in a puzzle. For the Training Ground puzzle, the three theme ANSWERS can be found at 17A, 39A, and 58A.

I hope you enjoy the puzzle.

Training Ground published on 07/09/2010)

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend, send me an email.

Beginners Luck

A few years ago, I came across a website dedicated to the people who create the puzzles that appear in newspapers and other publications. I read a few documents that described the process on how to submit puzzles to newspapers and decided to give it a try.

I had a few that I thought were pretty good, so one evening, I submitted one to Tribune Media Services.

The next morning, I received an email stating that my puzzle was accepted and would be published in newspapers all around the US (it appeared locally in the St. Pete Times).

I thought, wow, I can make some money doing this. I had quite a few that I could submit. So, I started to submit more puzzles only to learn that it is a real competitive market (most puzzles are not accepted). I have had other puzzles published and will soon begin submitting more.

I learned later, how unusual my accomplishment was. Almost noone ever gets published on their first try and the 'editor' who replied the next day has the worst reputation for getting back to people.

All in all, it was a case of beginners luck.

Gone to the Dogs

As a pet lover, I have created many animal themed crossword puzzles. Many feature dogs (my favorite animal).

Here is one of the first puzzles I published on the BestCrosswords site.

Gone to the Dogs published on 6/11/2006

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personalized puzzle for a friend who is a pet lover, send me an email.

Wimbledon

With the Wimbledon tennis tournament just completed yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to feature a puzzle that I constructed to highlight some past champions.

Gentelmen of Wimbledom published on 7/08/2006

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a holiday themed puzzle for a family get together, send me an email.

Tribute to the Beatles

One of my favorite musical groups growing up was the Beatles.  I started listening to them when my highschool would play their music during lunch time.

The puzzle below is my tribute to the group that changed music forever:

With the Beatles published on 6/16/2006

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a personlized puzzle create for a friend, or family member send me an email.

Fourth of July Puzzle

About four years ago, I had a puzzle published at the BestCrosswords site titled 'Born of the 4th of July"'.  The puzzle is about famous people born on that date. So, if you like themed puzzles and you are feeling patriotic, click the following link to check out a holiday themed puzzle from the past.

'Born of the 4th of July published on 7/03/2006

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

If you would like a holiday themed puzzle for a family get together, send me an email.

New Puzzle Posted on BestCrosswords Site

I had a puzzle published today at the BestCrosswords site titled 'Tire-d'. No, the puzzle is not about being sleepy, although, I feel that way this morning. The puzzle is about things related to a tire. So, if you like themed puzzles, click the following link to check out my latest puzzle.

Tire-d published on 7/4/2010

Click here to see the list of over 300 puzzles that I have uploaded to this site.

Web Based Puzzles for Businesses

Web Based Puzzles for Businesses: "Do you have a business where you would like to draw customers to your website and increase sales? Many businesses send out monthly emails t..."

Dave's Crosswords

Dave's Crosswords: "The following Bible puzzles are JAVA based (where the solver can solve online via the Internet). You may need a JAVA plug-in for your browse..."

Bible Crosswords

One of the most challenging projects that I have undertaken as a crossword puzzle constructor began in 1993. That was the year that I became a Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior.

The project that I undertook was creating 21x21 Bible-themed puzzles. The challenging part of the puzzle construction, was that I wanted to use as many bible words in the puzzle as possible. Most crossword puzzles that have a theme tend to only have a small number of words associated with the theme.

In the Bible puzzles that I created, I sometimes was able to have 100% of the words as theme words. I am not sure if this has ever been accomplished in a large 21X21 puzzle.

Note: When I say 21x21, that refers to the number of squares across and down.

The project took several years to complete. I have used the puzzles at my church as part of a children's discipleship program. It has helped the kids get to know their bible, since they had to look up hundreds of bible verses.

The puzzles were created to be solved by hand (printing a PDF file). I am slowly converting the bible puzzles to JAVA (where the solver can solve online via the Internet). You may need a JAVA plug-in for your browser for the puzzle to display. If you need a plug-in, click here.  Some browsers may need to have settings changed to allow java applets to execute.  Below are the puzzles that I have converted to JAVA:

Special 21x21 Bible Puzzles (includes linked clues)
Genesis (21x21 published on 7/1/2010)

Exodus (21x21 published on 7/1/2010)
Leviticus (21x21 published on 7/3/2010)
Numbers (21x21 published on 7/3/2010)

Traditional 15x15 Bible Puzzles

Bank of Heaven (15x15 published on 7/1/2010)

Bible Colors (15x15 published on 7/1/2010)

Three Steps to Salvation (15x15 published on 7/1/2010)

One cool thing about the Bible puzzles is that you do not even need a Bible to solve the puzzle.  Most clues have a '?' to the right of the clue.  Clicking the '?' will take the solver to a page where the verse can be read to find the answer.  I also tried to include an alternative clue for each word that is a common everyday word.  Example, for the answer SLEEPER, I have this clue:

              Train car or person who needs awoken in Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)

Note: There is also a PDF version of the puzzle that can be displayed by clicking the PDF link.

Check back often to the following page for new Bible puzzles.  I will also have other more traditional bible puzzles that have common everyday words within the puzzle.

Welcome to Dave's Crosswords

I guess I need to introduce myself. My name is Dave Diebold and I am a professional crossword puzzle constructor. I have been constructing crossword puzzles since the early 1970's. I have been fortunate to have had puzzles published in magazines and newspapers across the United States.

My grandfather was the inspiration for me to get started in this hobby. He loved sports and crossword puzzles. His favorite baseball team was the Pittsburgh Pirates (my hometown).

So, when I was a teenager, I decided to try and create a puzzle for my grandfather. Back in the 1970's, there were no computer programs. So, I had to use graph paper to design the puzzle grid. I worked on the puzzle for the entire summer. It ended up being a giant puzzle. I'm not sure what the exact dimensions were, but it may have been a record size.

My grandfather loved the puzzle and his encouragement is probably what has kept me constructing puzzles to this day.

So, that is a brief introduction about myself. As the days go by, I will share other stories about my life as a crossword constructor. Also, this site will feature links to all of my puzzles, both old and new.

So, check back frequently for more blog updates and puzzles.