I use bamboo skewers for a stiletto. DH cuts them down and then whittles the point on it to a nice sharp point! :)
I keep a coffee cup by my machine to keep seam rippers, tweezers, small scissors, pencils, etc. by my machine.
DH made me a "Big Board" ironing board that sits on top of my ironing board. He used 1/2" plyboard and I covered it with W & N batting and a piece of cotton fabric. He put some boards on the bottom so that it fits snugly on top of the ironing board without moving around. We got the idea from here:
http://www.quiltcampus.net/Library/P...ningBoard.html