it's done! I window paned the center of the block from the back - not the backing, just the back of the block. (I cut out the fabric that was covered by other applique pieces - cutting a slit from the back and leaving just a seam allowance around the noisy piece. That little circle in the center of the flower is where the paper backing was. Sounded like an 8 X 8" piece of paper crackling, but it was no more than a 2" square! It's done. The block is none the worse for wear - all is good. Now to sandwich and quilt the thing!