I love supporting my LQS, the owner does some pattern designing and really pushes us to improve in all of our skills. Even though I am a pretty experienced quilter. I am taking a block of the month class (Marti Michell) and we are not using the fabrics in the MM Sample but each of us are using different some way out fabrics and she has us using our imagination on fussy cutting etc. I will post some pictures when we get a little further down the line.
That being said - when the LQS doesn't have what I want, or I find something I need way cheaper (even with shipping) I do shop online.