Finger paints, lol, ewww!
I'm confused, does she have a pad in the crate? You indicated that she is really good about going to the crate to potty when you are home and she has free roam.
When Teddy was young and I would put the boys in the bedroom when workmen came to the house, Teddy always had to poop right away. I think it was nervous excitement.
Jess probably has to poop because she is anxious about being left alone, and then gets a little worked up in her crate and makes the mess.
That is a challenge.