I covered a piece of wood with a towel & then material to use as an "ironing board" on my counter. No more getting the big board out (no more barking at it from my dog!) I use baby wipe containers to stow sewing items, an office pencil holder with little storage trays for clips, sewing feet, etc. I use a meat tenderizer which is flat on the bottom to "bang" my seams flat. Tweezers are in use freq. when sewing & using the embroidery machine to pull up bobbin thread. Empty cigar boxes hold sewing items too.