Ellyn Mosbarger (nee Ellen Blodgett) was born on September 16, 1933, and grew up in Cambria, California, the only child of Charles Osgood Blodgett and Ida Mae Blodgett.
After graduating from San Luis Obispo High School, Ellyn attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, from 1951-1953 and San Jose State University from 1953-1955, where she earned a Bachelor of Education degree.
In 1955, she married Dick Mosbarger. Together, they embarked on successful teaching careers and began raising a family in Fremont, California, where their first two children, Heidi and Eric, were born. The family moved to Dick’s hometown of Fillmore, California, in 1963 after he accepted a position as head of the Agriculture Program at Fillmore High School. Their third child, Dana, was born soon thereafter.
A devoted homemaker and teacher, Ellyn lent her artistic touch to Dick’s agriculture program, contributing to its visual displays and creative projects. She was active in local church programs, forming a youth singing group and leading craft projects. She also enjoyed designing and creating clothing for her children.
In 1976, she turned her passion for art into a full-time career, founding her own business, Calico Mouse, which offered appliqué kits for clothing, pillows, and wall art. Her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit took her to craft fairs across the country, where she gained recognition within the arts and crafts community.
Over time, her work evolved into quilt-making and eventually into “Wearable Art.” She converted the family living room into her art studio, stocked with bolts of fabric, beads, buttons, spools of thread, and state-of-the-art sewing machines. Her intricate, flowing, multi-piece garments won awards and admiration around the world. She also published numerous appliqué pattern books, inspiring others to design and create their own wearable art.
In early 2021, Dick and Ellyn moved from Fillmore to Bellingham, Washington, to be closer to their children.
She is survived by her three children, Heidi, Eric, and Dana, and two grandchildren, Treat and Zoey.
Ellyn will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted friend, a gifted artist, and an inspiring example of creativity, perseverance, and warmth.