Hearties Costume Contest

HEARTIES COSTUME CONTEST

hosted by: Lee Coulter's Pants

Are you dressing as your favorite When Calls the Heart character for Halloween this year? Then send your pictures to me! Top 3 will win a #Hearties Love Plaid decal!

 Here are the steps you need to follow:

STEP 1: Dress up in a WCTH costume! 

STEP 2:  Post a picture via twitter or facebook by noon PST on Nov.1st using #PlaidCostumeParty

If using Twitter: post pic, use #PlaidCostumeParty and tag @LeesPlaidPants

If using Facebook: Go to Pants' page and post your picture using #PlaidCostumeParty and tag Lee Coulter's Pants in your post.

STEP 3: Top 3 will be announced on Friday, November 4th! 

*Pictures must be from this Halloween season. 

So, get out there, dress up, have fun and share!

~Lee Coulter's Pants

Spotlight-Janette Stephens

Heartie Spotlight

Janette Stephens

@janettemsu

Hearties, I learned some fun new phrases while interviewing Janette for this spotlight.  Janette hails from Michigan, so the first new phrase I learned was MittenHearties.  So it made me wonder, do other states' Hearties have their own name? Tweet or FB me to let me know! Janette has also coined a few Heartie phrases, the most commonly used would be #LipStaring. But more on that later.  Let's grab some hot cocoa, put our mittens on, sit back and get to know our beloved Janette a little better!

Pants "How did you become a Heartie?"

Janette " I grew up reading Janette Oke's books. Started with her kids series and then moved on to the WCTH and Love Comes Softly books. When I saw the show advertised, it was a no-brainer that I'd be watching! Joined the FB page early on during Season One and the rest is history."

I'm glad your love of books led you in the right direction! WCTH is a unique show that speaks to all different kinds of people, so I always find it interesting how they came to be Hearties.  

I need to preface the next question with, I knew the answer but being the unbiased spotlighter that I am, still asked. 

Pants "Who are your favorite WCTH characters? Favorite couple?

Janette "Really Pants? Anyone who knows me, knows the answer to that one. All together now: "Jack!" You'll always find me on #TeamJack! This would also mean that my fave couple is obviously Jack & Elizabeth. From day one, it was them! Always them.

As far as other characters, can't leave out the TeamFloMo ladies - Florence and Molly! Loretta Walsh and Johannah Newmarch are as sweet as they come! (I also have a soft spot for Marcus Rosner - not his character, Charles - but Marcus. Just to be clear. LOL!)"

Poor Charles...always getting a bum wrap for loving a girl we all love too! I mean, the poor chap had to at least try right!? He had no idea Jack was on his way to the church-that Jack built, in the blue suit, that made him look fantastic, with the ring in his pocket.  Poor chap.  Maybe he will come back one day on business and fall in love with sweet Molly! Yes? No? Or do Hearties never want to see Charles again? 

Pants "What are some hobbies you enjoy?"

Janette " In the past couple of years, I've taken up photography. I shoot with my iPhone only and you'd be surprised what kind of pics you can take with just your phone! Some of my Hearties friends went together and got me a macro lens for my birthday this year and I'm obsessed with it! (You can see some on Insta @janettemsu)

I am also a massive Michigan State Spartan fan! Saturday's in the fall you'll find me at football games in Spartan Stadium! Besides that I love hanging out with family and friends, and I'm getting a new puppy soon so he'll be keeping me busy too!"

Awww, puppies are adorable! Will he look like Rip, are you going to name him Rip, then Jack will get confused and follow him to your house!...I see your plan..very crafty Janette! I like it!

Pants "What are your top 3 tv shows, besides WCTH?"

Janette " One of my faves of all time was "Alias." Current shows I'm obsessed with besides WCTH are "Elementary," "The Night Shift," and "New Girl."

Ok, let's see if I can mash these into a new show... Sherlock works the night shift at the police station where a new girl detective starts working there and ends up being better than him!

Pants "What was your favorite season 3 story-line?"

Janette "I loved everything about the story-line with Cody over the course of the season - the way Abigail gave him unconditional love, the way the community looked out for him, the way Jack connected with him over losing his father. So many poignant moments with Cody! I also love, love, loved the camping episode!! Don't get me started on that kiss! Jack & Elizabeth reached a new comfort level with each other and it showed! I'll just leave it at that. ;)"

Cody really did capture the hearts of the Hearties this past season. And the camping episode was great, only because I wasn't in it. Mud, and sleeping outdoors...no thank you! oh and getting smoke smell out takes days!

Pants "What would you like to see happen in season 4?"

Janette " I think along with all of the collective Heartie-dom, I too, think a proposal would be a perfectly acceptable storyline in Season 4! Lol! Beyond that, the skies the limit! I try to keep an open mind about storylines for the most part. It bums me out when people say that once Jack & Elizabeth get married that there won't be any story left to tell or the series will end. Janette Oke's books are just full of adventure, challenges, and joys that come after marriage! I think it would be wonderful to see Jack & Elizabeth married and watch them go through the challenges of married life and show how they work through them! I don't know if married life is in the plan for S4, but if not, hopefully there are many more seasons to come!"

I agree. I think the story-lines get more intense after marriage. There is more on the line, as the relationship is deeper. There will always be adventure and danger in Jack's line of work, and seeing how Elizabeth deals with that as a wife, and eventually mother, I think will be very interesting to watch. So, hopefully the writers will get a move on with it this season already!

Pants " If you were a NEW character on the show, who would you be and what would you want your storyline to be? Who would you want to interact with? Gowen's sidekick? steal Jack from Elizabeth ? You decide!"

Janette "I would want to be the town barber/hair stylist/salon owner - the one that everyone would come to and spill about life while getting their hair done. I'd get all of the good Hope Valley gossip that way!"

That is a very smart idea, and Hope Valley needs one! In a shop anyways, the stylist on set are spectacular. I can just see Gowen sitting in the corner, reading the paper, listening in.

Now Hearties, I would like to share some of Janette's Heartieart with you. First, with what started all the #lipstaring talk. She tweeted this to Erin, and Erin admitted she was busted. And the rest is history. Now #lipstaring is discovered in every episode with Jackabeth, on both sides! Jack is guilty of it too!

Here is some more beautiful art, made by the talented Janette!

Looking so serious in the Red Serge. 

If only you knew how laid back the Red Serge is when he is off duty! The stories I could tell....

Now, that's a kiss worthy of some 

"True Love" magic! 

I believe she will. She has overcome a lot since leaving her comfortable home and moving to  Hope Valley.  She has shown so much strength and spunk! Love our Elizabeth!

Saved the best for last...I mean...look at those colors in that plaid...look down ladies...past the eyes and the smile...there ya go!

I want to thank Janette so much for answering my questions and telling me some stories that I didn't know. And for sharing her wonderful art!  Hearties never cease to amaze me with their talents and graciousness!  

Lee Coulter's Pants

Heartie Spotlight- Alesha Chamberlain

Heartie Spotlight

Alesha Chamberlain

@AleshaBC

Hearties I"m back with my wonderful spotlights! My mission to share individual Heartie stories with the world of Hearties so that you can all get to know each other a little better and we can make our world a little more intimate. Especially with how we are growing! My first spotlight of the fall is, Alesha aka : The GIF queen! She hails from Florida, just outside of Ft. Lauderdale.  So, sit back, enjoy the sun and here we go!

Pants "How did you become a Heartie?"

Alesha " I was introduced to When Calls the Heart by my mother who was a huge fan of the show. So I started watching it in a way for some type of therapy for me. My father was a police officer in Louisiana and was killed in the line of duty 3 years ago and in some way I was able to relate with Jack in the story line and that's when I truly fell in love with When Calls the Heart. I didn't really become a true hardcore heartie until I started following the Facebook page two years ago!"

I'm sorry to hear about your father. But I'm glad you were able to find the Hearties, and find a way to relate, and work through your pain.

Pants"What are your favorite WCTH characters? Favorite couple?"

Alesha " My favorite character is Abigail because her love and compassion for people is unprecedented. She also can stand up for herself without losing her true self.

My favorite couple: Lee and Rose...the writers had me at their first time meeting when Lee came into town on that motorcycle and Rose and Lee exchange witty conversation.

I think Lee had one of the best introductions on the show! Some may disagree, but riding in on a motorcycle is better, I mean different, than riding in on a horse. Both are good! No one shoot me! Just saying that it definitely turned Rosemary's head and we are all thankful for that! I think they had some of the most touching scenes in season 3!

Pants "What are some hobbies you enjoy?"

Alesha " I love traveling and taking photos and editing pictures"

Pants "Where is your favorite place that you have traveled? Where would you like to go that you haven't had the chance to yet?

Alesha "My favorite place to travel is Alaska and I've been 3 times and love it every time. I got to go everywhere in Alaska, even Barrow Alaska, the farthest north in USA. I've never been overseas. My two bucket list places to go are Easter Island and Isle of Man."


Wonderful goals, can't wait to see the pictures when you go... you wouldn't need a pair of pants to take with you, say plaid?

Pants "What are your top 3 tv shows, besides WCTH?
Alesha " Chuck, Boy Meets World, and New Girl"

I admit, I haven't seen any of those. But I'm guessing a Boy named Chuck goes out to meet the world with a new girl? Am I close?

Pants "What was your favorite season 3 storyline?"
Alesha " (how can I just pick one ) I have to say the relationship between Jack and Cody, Cody lost his father and so did Jack. Jack is able to relate with Cody in a way that no one else can.That bond was touching to me! I cried like a baby when I saw that scene between Jack and Cody behind the house!"

That scene was one of the highlights of the season for sure! Carter is a wonderful actor. You could feel every ounce of Cody's pain leaping off the screen right into your heart! Only Gowen wouldn't be touched by that scene! Well, maybe he would...but he wouldn't show it!

Pants "What would you like to see happen in season 4? Besides a Jackabeth proposal, because we ALL want that to happen!"
Alesha "I would like to see if Rosemary can really talk Lee into getting a circus into town like she promised the kids she would. Or maybe Lee and Rosemary find out their pregnant "

Well, the Circus and babies are both loud and sticky. So maybe have Lee pick one?

Pants "If you were a NEW character on the show, who would you be and what would you want your story line to be? Who would you interact with?"
Alesha " I've actually thought about this before. I would like to be the widow of a formal Canadian Mountie that Jack used to work with that was killed in the line of duty. I would be able to come to the aid of Elizabeth...to reassure her of the dangers of being a Mountie's wife. At the end knowing that after everything I went through I would never change a thing because God is in control of it all!"

I love the message of this and the idea of a friend for Elizabeth that has lived the Mountie lifestyle that isn't Jack's mom!


Alesha, thank you so much for answering my questions and giving myself, and all Hearties, a chance to get to know you better! Your tweets always make me laugh. Safe travels and I will see you on Twitter sharing GIFs!





Lee Coulter's Pants

Camp Hearties week 4

Camp Hearties

Week 4

Judged by Ben Rosenbaum & Guest judge Erin Krakow

Ben's comments will be in blue

Erin's comments will be in pink

Week 4 ends our Team Camp Hearties. I have had a lot of fun, and have learned alot if I ever do this again! I hope Hearties had as much fun as I did.  Eventhough there was judging and ranking, all the teams did a wonderful job! They worked together and came up with great entries! I wish I could give everyone a prize, but pants don't get paid enough for that! But EVERY team should be very proud of themselves! Bravo! 

I will now turn it over to Ben and Erin!

A general note from this week’s guest judge, Erin Krakow:

I’m honored and inspired to see so many of you following your hearts! I love all the creative ways you expressed that. Thank you for being the best fans ever! We are so grateful for our Hearties! Oh, and a major shout-out to all the supportive Heartie men who got a little extra glamorous for this week’s challenge!

1st Place: The "RIP"sters (10 pts)

Erin: Your science fair project is so cute! Don't share that formula! We want people to stay addicted to WCTH!; I love the bowler hat and the Batman confession on the tombstone you created for Gowen (however I don't love the morbid nature of this challenge).; Gowen’s self-makeover ended with an ADORABLE chocolate goatee. Too cute!; Haha! Those poor doves!

Ben: The CURE for WCTH addiction?!?! Destroy it immediately!!!; Great gag-reel reference on Gowen’s tombstone; The gossip and judgement coming from these two is museum quality FloMo; That little chocolate ice-cream goatee is too cute! I demand that ice-cream be made a part of the look of the official show makeup!; Green light this show! It would basically just be all of Hickam’s current off-screen time put on screen, watching him actually accomplishing tasks.

2nd Place : Hickam's Hotties (8 pts)

Erin: I’m excited to research your science project. Intriguing!; Your spooning photo made me “Aww.”; Dottie’s dress design is so glamorous! I want someone to bring it to life so I can actually wear it!; Recreating a look from our second episode EVER, your FloMo photo is bringing back memories. And that coal dust is not easy to wash off! Major props to you!; Another show I love – CALL THE MIDWIFE.

Ben: I love the old school arrow signs! You’ve illustrated how global the town of Hope Valley really is (with all of its honorary residents, the Hearties!); You really went the extra spooning mile with those eye spoons!; Straight out of the mine! FloMo at their best!; Gowen would totally be a secret duck-face guy, horrifyingly well done!

3rd Place: Plaid Pajama Hearties (6 pts)

Erin: Your science fair project is VERY creative and VERY messy!; Clever tombstone, but are you saying you think Abigail is capable of MURDER??; Love the FloMo bonnets!; That horror cook-off show looks intense!!

Ben: It’s all about the community you build and the family you choose! Well done!; You FloMos are showing some great ‘Tude!; This “Gowen” deserves a hug, and that mustache really brings the whole terrifying look together!; Great poster for “Cutthroat Heart”! And great choice of judge!

4th Place: Heartland Hearties (4 pts)

Erin: Great job on the volcano! And Dan would love the BOOM!; So many tie-ins in the spooning photo: shepherd's pie, Brian's spoons, and lots of hats!; Your tv show mash-up could be scary! Hope Valley kids avert your eyes!

Ben: That’s a very confident presentation of a classic science fair staple: the volcano, BOOM!; Dottie is so ahead of her time! Bringing the 20’s into the 10’s!; That’s classic FloMo side eye being exhibited by your sweet Westie!; Your man went all in on that makeup session! Bowen could never choose just one selfie!

The following Teams each receive 2 pts.

Plaid Photo Bombers

Erin: Such a sweet spoon photo! Definitely made me “Aww.”; Oh my goodness - such a bold design from Dottie! THIS lady of 1910 has seen that style before - it's just usually worn UNDER my dresses!; Your mash-up makes me think you’ve been on the receiving end of one sales call too many! Ben: Looks like Jack played a messy trick on Ms. Thatcher and her kids with that science fair entry!; I think if you combine your made-up Gowen with your Dottie’s dress design you would have a great new act for Rosemary’s theatre!

The Hotties

Erin: I love that you included Janette Oke!; DELICIOUS cake. Is that funfetti? I happen to love funfetti! Are you trying to butter me up?; I think you took the wording of the tv show MASH-up challenge very seriously! Ben: Cute cats spooning on a plaid chair! That’s internet/CampHearties gold!; W*C*T*H seems like a great spinoff for Nurse Faith! I like what you did mashing those H’s together!

ISotHPP

Erin: Your science fair project seems a liiiiiiittle aggressive to me!; I think your little cherubs would fit right in in Hope Valley in your version of Dottie’s dress designs!; I like what you did here - mashing up some of our previous shows! Creative! Ben: What a great string of international hearts!; You’ve figured out how to build a proposal machine?! And it includes a MALLET?!; The spoons are spooning, way to take it to the next level!; Dottie’s dresses and their models are adorable, simply adorable.; Your show mashup is clever, far too clever! Erin and Daniel’s last shows!

Scouts of Hearts

Erin: Cute bear with a spoon! Reminds me of Brownie!; Elizabeth might have to rethink her decision not to wear red ever again! Such a pretty dress.; Cute besties photo – now ladies behave!; I really like all of the crests you gave us in the GAME OF HEARTS. Ben: Even Brownie is getting in on the spooning action—always a plus!; “Drama, Rumors, and Secrets” #FloMo; I really like your Game of Hearts great houses!

Trouser's Bowsers

Erin: Is your science fair project a Heartie baby????? So sweet!; It warms my heart to see 3 generations of Hearties together!; Yay! Our Lori works so hard and is amazing on both of these shows! Ben: 3 generations is pretty special!; Very sensible of Dottie to include a cardigan with the look as it is often so chilly in HopeValley!; Way to bring the sass in your Gowen selfie! Jenn always brings a lot of it and it will be missed!

Team RIP

Erin: Not gonna lie - your science fair submission is really creepy. Haha!; The house built out of spoons is very creative!; Love the MOUNTIE WARS artwork. Those characters in red serge are pretty cute! Ben: Nice virtual conga! I love picturing each of you posing for those conga pics! Hilarious!; I tried and tried but I just couldn’t see anything or anyone when I tried to find your dress submission…; “In a galaxy far, far away… (probably Canada)…” So good! That got me, eh?

This concludes Camp Hearties Team Competition. Below are the final results!

Congratulations to Hickam's Hotties! They started out strong and were in the top 4 every week. And I must say, exploited their children and pets whenever possible! But it worked!

Also Congratulations to all the teams! You worked hard and it showed! I will be releasing my OWN collages of each team later this week. Thank you all for being my campers for my first Camp Hearties!

To Ben, you are one of the most selfless and kind people I've ever met. Thank you for being a part of this and for bringing in guest judges. I knew you were the best guy for the job!

Until next summer Hearties!

Lee's Plaid Pants

Camp Hearties week 3

Camp Hearties

week 3

judged by Ben Rosenbaum & guest judge Pascale Hutton

Ben's comments will be in blue

Pascale's comments will be in red (of course)

Week 3 was a challenge and I was delighted with the results! 

I will let Ben and Pascale take it from here!

Here we go!

My guest judge this week was none other than Rosemary herself, Pascale Hutton!

1st Place: Team RIP (10 pts)

Pascale: The picture of the Rosemary/Lee triplets is truly hilarious. And terrifying I also appreciate the attempt to cultivate a signature look for Hickam.  Ben: Put me on that slip-n-slide right now!; Good call on Hope Valley’s eternal winter! LOL.; I could definitely be a stripes man.; Cat/Hell on Wheels/WCTH, way to bring it all together! She runs the train station now!; and last but not least, I love the names of the triplets! I think you got all the good combos!

2nd Place: Plaid Photo Bombers (8 pts)

Pascale: Bacon bandages was truly repulsive, an image forever burned in my memory.  Ben: There will be egg toss and people will be BAD at it! Ha!; You sent out the hounds to find Cat! Nice!; You have found Hickam’s limit… Oh who am I kidding? Hickam will be a diaper-changing expert.; That Bacon Bandage is horrific.

3rd Place: Hickam's Hotties (6 pts)

Pascale: Obviously I HAD to pick "Rose 'mini' Leveaux" Ben: Rose Mini Leveaux is about as cute as she could be!; The horse as a doppleganger is very clever—a can’t lose!; Nurse Faith won’t be stopped! At least she’s using festive bandages to make it fun!

4th Place: The "Rip"sters (4 pts)

Pascale: wouldn't we all love to see Rosemary's blood boil as she watched this version of 'The Reluctant Bride'.  Ben: I totally see Kevin as Kavan! Though perhaps the younger man in the picture disagrees?; Lard flavored coffee sounds like it was special ordered for Mama Thornton! Not surprised it isn’t selling well.; Cat is the new star of the silver screen! Ooooooo… burn on Rosemary!; Based on statements she’s made in the show, Rosemary would have to agree with your assessment of proper diaper management.

Following Teams each receive 2 pts.

To all the following teams from Pascale:

Thanks everyone for your creative interpretations of all the questions/challenges. I loved checking them all out.

The Plaid Pajama Hearties*

Ben: The little baby Rip is too cute.; Bonus points are in order for actually stalking a stranger and convincing them to take a selfie with you! Brava!; WCTH DVDs! Very meta!; Nice use of @LeesPlaidPants! That should be some sort of bonus as well.; You gave me some real flair here, I could play Vegas in that outfit—thanks for the cape!

*-extra point received for stranger selfie! Awesome job!

The Hotties

Ben: I like the unappreciative horse in the background of the horse shoe toss… I guess Jack doesn’t know where his bread is buttered!; Yost’s entrepreneurial spirit got the better of him trying to sell surf boards, not many good waves to be caught on the fishing pond!; Great use of a quote with Nurse Faith’s bandages!; Great show reference with the catching more flies with honey! And it is somehow very satisfying to see myself in a cute Pooh costume… I’ll have to look into that further.; Where’s Cat?! Oh my! I hope not!… Oh wait, yes I get it, “Hell On Wheels”; The horse + car seats is great, gave me a good laugh!

ISotHPP

Ben: Dan does sort of look like a moose!; It’s the tug-of-war of the century! Who do you think would win?; That poor toilet paper cat made me laugh so hard, just minding its own business trying to eat some dinner.; Yost should’ve known better, HV can’t risk a cow strike.

Scouts of Hearts

Ben: Great Doogie Howser! A very handsome young Doc!; Duct tape can fix anything—and saves this gentleman a trip to get his legs waxed!; Batman does alright with the ladies, I’m into it.

Trouser's Bowsers

Ben: It takes a real man to pull off a bonnet—a Hope Valley man!; That must have been one heck of an injury! The boy’s been mummified!; Please tell me one of you actually owns that leprechaun-cowboy outfit, and then please explain why!

Heartland Hearties

Ben: Is this poor man sad about the cut or that his tie is getting all messed up?! Either way nice acting!; I think Hickam would be the bell of the ball in some plaid patch-work shorts, bow tie, vest, and top hat! It looks like Cat has stumbled into her very own game of #WheresHickam!

Thank you to all the teams and your wonderful submissions this week! On to the final week!

Thank you to Ben and Pascale for judging! Your comments are fantastic!

Here is the standing for the teams with accumulated points from wks 1-3.

Lee's Plaid Pants