Cute cat. About those curves, slow down when you get there, stitch, stop, pivot, stitch stop pivot, stitch, stop,pivot around the curve until you get to the next straight stretch - area where you can just go again. Using threads that match the applique will also make the stitches blend in,disappear, so those little (wobbly) areas will not show up so much, and smaller stitches will help too, that big of a bite is not necessary- You did a great job on your first.