Rather than asking a broad question why not provide links to your projects.
The instructions tell you that your projects should be “functionally similar” to the sample and to “give it your own personal style”.
That said, the hardest part of coding is looking at a problem and coming up with a plan to solve that problem. Starting out by looking at someone else’s code completely bypasses that step.
No one is good at designing. That’s not the purpose of doing the projects. The sample projects are just that, examples of one way the project can be completed.
The projects are not just another challenge. Each one is meant to be a significant step in your progress. Every project you do will require research, planning, trial and error, and strengthening your skills beyond what you gain from the incremental challenges.