Janet, I ussually look at what my local wood working store has in stock, when ever I get a chance to get there and see if I may be able to use. Most of the time I just buy one board foot, and as long as there is at least 4' left, they will cut it off for me. That way I do not spend a lot and only periodically. In the mean time I use the easily local woods, poplar, redoak, cedar, pine, etc. I have as much fun looking for "that" wood as I do working it to make the project.
Pieter