I was so tired of misplacing things, especially rulers. I bought a ruler caddy. It's a slotted stand that I keep on the right hand side of my sewing table. When I am done with the ruler, back in the caddy it goes. At the end of a cutting session, I file that ruler before I leave that table.
My sewing machine drawer holds 3 seam rippers and that's so there is always a spare. Problem solved.