for those things that i can lose easily, like scissors and seam rippers, i have learned to always put them in the same place no matter where i am using them. by my machine, they go on the right, and on the cutting area, they go on the left, which is the same place as by the machine. i don't know what i would have to do if i moved the areas further away from each other! i guess i would have to develop a new system or get another pair of scissors!