Hmm I know what you mean and one of the best proponents of this sort of stuff is Trekkiegrrl, Probably spelt that wrong but you probably know who I mean.

If you check her site out, the stuff on there is amazing: Morphing tissues, newspapers, toothpaste tubes, coke cans etc. etc.

Small props but essential to a scene as you say!

I for one am guilty of having lots of her stuff that I don't remember to use often enough!!

Injustice will be avenged.
Cofiwch Dryweryn.