Never let instructions limit your creativity!
your blocks look great so far.
This project is pretty quick, which is why I picked it for a weekend "virtual" retreat project, so that everyone will get to start and finish the project in one weekend.
I am planning on doing a couple more and giving them to nieces/nephew for christmas. I am going to get a towel set (bath, hand, face) and add a trim of the left over fabrics to the towels, to make a complete bath set. This is a great gift idea for housewarming or to have a set for "guests" when they visit. I have alot left over since I bought extra to ensure there was enough to make the rug. But anyone stash shopping, you might have enough left over to make matching towels. a simple 2 1/2 in strip with the edges folded down and stitched right close to the edge will make a nice trim, can even play with some decorative stitches or a small row of FMQ.