Photoshop Elements :: Layer(s) Not Showing Up On Top Of Background - Only In Layers Panel?

Started working with PSE and when I tried to "stamp" a brush shape (whether default brushes or otherwise), the program does something it had never done before....SEE ATTACHED.  I will create a new layer to use my brush, but when I try to "stamp" it onto background, the program then creates a layer mask where I can see the brush shape AND a new layer, however ALL that shows up on the background is the icon you can see in my screen grab I am attaching here.  What is this icon? (The teeny one middle right of image, black square, outlined in red, with two red circles in the middle) I called Apple, we did a few things, they said it wasn't on there end.  I reset my tools, I uninstalled, reinstalled, to no avail. Again, I've reset all tools, the "eye" icon on layers panel shows it should be visible, I've tried layers-->merge visible, I've uninstalled and reinstalled.....