Really? that saying comes from an anecdote about Saint Augustine, and as such it should be popular in all regions that were influenced by Christianity.
You can find it here:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sta02002.htm
See the bottom.
Ironically I never heard the expression "squeezing blood from a stone" ^^;;
This is even more far in the meaning, because squeezing blood from a stone is plain impossible, while emptying the sea with a spoon is in theory possible... provided you have infinite time and a way to seal the water you take.