BT keyboard isn't being discovered on my IPad 2

I go to school and i use the BT keyboard to take notes. everything was going perfect up until a couple of days ago when i accidentally pushed the "forget this device" button and my BT keyboard was gone. ever since then ive been trying to re-connect it. this is how it goes:

-turn on keyboard, it is blinking.

-turn on BT on IPad 2, says its searching...

-BT keyboard NEVER shows up anymore.

ive tried re-booting and turning off ipad and changing batteries in keyboard. all to no prevail.

this is all post IOS 6.0.1

help me because finals are coming up and i am struggling to take notes fast enough on the IPad screen!

thanks so much!