Hit a couple yard sales.
My little niece was over for a couple hours on Saturday. Mom and Grandma had to work. Hit a couple garage sales. She picked up a small travel iron for $1.00 and cutting mat for $1.00. Brought them home and DH cut the mat so it was just the right size for her to use. It was rolled and cracked. She paid for it before I saw it because I would have tried to get a better price. But he got 2 sizes out of it for her to where it could lay flat. Had a briefcase that the boards fit just right and she could put her rulers and some other notions in. I have the best time when she comes over.