I had a craft board that I used a lot. It was long enough to rest on the arms of my chair. This way if I moved around, it stayed in place (as well as the items on it LOL)
It would be handy if it had a little lip around the sides to hold items on it.
I don't know about padding... but I would have liked one of those cupboard, non slip liners laying on it.
I have seen other boards, that had a nice padding on the bottom, and it sat in your lap.
I don't think I have ever seen one that was padded on the top... I am not sure what the benefit to that would be? Now you have ME curious :D:D:D