str_replace and custom template

[LifesGreatestGift]

in the current postbit_display_complete code I get this error

Catchable fatal error: Object of class vB_Template could not be converted to string

I need to be able to get a custom template and convert it into a string/variable.

--------------- Added [DATE]1333780042[/DATE] at [TIME]1333780042[/TIME] ---------------

and for some reason

$templater = vB_Template::create('my_custom_template');

doesnt work in parse_templates (the way I am using it)