I took a 5 year hiatus a few years back and they've probably been out for a while, but I like and have purchased several of the Creative Grids rulers with the grippy stuff underneath; they help prevent slippage better than other brands in my experience (they're especially good for days when the little arthritis I do have makes my finger joints sore). The second thing is the scissors with micro-serrated edges. I know Olfa and Perfect Scissors (forgot the person's name of that brand) carry them. While I use other scissors also, the micro-serrated ones work especially well when I'm trimming off dog-ears on HST blocks, keeping the fabric between the blades as I snip them off rather than pushing it ahead as my other snips do. Welcome back (and happy shopping)!