I've done it. I had a huge, over-queen sized applique quilt which I originally envisioned handquilting -- since it's all hand applique. But reality set in, and I was not enjoying the handquilting process. So even though I had portions done by hand, I switched to machine and just finished it up. I'm pleased with it.
I say go for it. It will look fine, and you're spending your time on the key style element -- the paw print, while getting the functional, structural grid done quickly by machine.
RST