I couldn't do it the way the instructions said, either, so like you I did it my own way like in that tutorial I posted here. I think we quilters are probably a pretty adaptive people. :)
I do play several instruments, piano, guitar, mandolin, and my current passion is mountain dulcimer. I'm not great at any of them, but I still play on. :D
I think these hexagons would be great for mug mats. You could even do a little patchwork piece and put it in the window of the hex. I think your friends would love to get one in their cards!