I made myself a small ironing board to go next to my machine. My sewing space is a very small nook in our bedroom, and the full-size ironing board doesn't even fit in the room!
I used a wooden TV tray. I covered it first with the heat-resistant batting you use for potholders, with the heat side facing up. I then covered it with a layer of regular cotton batting and topped it off with muslin, using duct tape to secure all the layers underneath the tv tray.
Not only is it nice to be able to press open seams without moving, but also the heat-resistant batting does an amazing job as a 'miracle' ironing board cover, like the expensive ones I see at quilt shows!
My little tip of the day, for what it's worth!
Mary